Pundit and former Leeds United footballer Carlton Palmer has claimed that the pressure will never leave for Victor Orta after the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa was sacked by Leeds at the end of February following a poor vein of form in the Premier League. The Whites broke the record in for the most Premier League goals conceded (20) in a calendar month, which consequently was enough to get the Argentine sacked.
He was also on a run where his side won just once out of their last eight games in all competitions, and his successor, Jesse Marsch, has steadied the ship after spurring his side to victories in their last two games in the Premier League against Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Given Bielsa was the man to guide Leeds to the top flight of English football for the first time in 16 years, whilst speaking to GiveMeSport, Palmer said that there will always be pressure from the Leeds faithful following his sacking.
He said: “He’s always going to be under pressure, I think, for getting rid of Bielsa. He’s always going to be under pressure if results are not going well, if the team’s not performing well, the fans will always have Bielsa close to their heart. So, if things are not going well, of course, the hierarchy of the club will come under pressure because they will say, ‘Well, why did you get rid of Bielsa?’.”
TIF Thoughts on Carlton Palmer’s comments…
Bielsa was a loved man at Leeds not only by the fans, but also by the players, and they showed their love via social media after he departed from the club. Although it wasn’t a fairytale ending for Bielsa, he still led the club to some great memories.
Leeds’ issues were largely down to injuries to key players, such as Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips. So if Bielsa did have all these players fit this season, it would be hard to see Leeds sitting in the position that they currently do and Bielsa may still be at the club.
So it was a big call to send him on his way, and as Leeds face a fight to stay in the Premier League, it would be no surprise if all eyes are on the likes of Orta as they wait to find out whether it was the right decision to dismiss their former boss.