Sky Sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling has aimed a cheeky dig at Marcelo Bielsa after Leeds United’s U18s lost 10-3 to Liverpool.
Bielsa is a legend at Elland Road after taking the Whites from Championship also-rans to a top-half Premier League side in the space of three years. Unfortunately, his time in Yorkshire did not end on his terms, as he was sacked in February to be replaced by Jesse Marsch, but that is unlikely to impact the legacy he left at the club.
Leeds’ leaky defence under his tutelage was a stick often used to beat the Argentinian with, and Stelling put the knife in once more following the youth side’s hammering. He said (via MOT Leeds News): “Talk about Liverpool, the Liverpool Under-18s have been playing Leeds Under-18s.
“It finished Liverpool Under-18s 10-3 Leeds Under-18s.
“I am not sure if Bielsa is still in charge of Bielsa’s Under-18s or not.”
TIF Thoughts on Bielsa’s reign…
The backline was certainly cause for concern while Bielsa was at the helm. Even as Leeds finished ninth last season, only six sides conceded more than their 54 goals, and in February of this year, they broke the unwanted record of most goals conceded in a calendar month. This term, no side has shipped more in the Premier League than the Whites, another statistic that does not indicate strong defensive cohesion.
However, supporters will no doubt shaking their head at Stelling’s claim as there was so much more to Bielsa’s side than that. His fearless approach to attacking the top flight’s best sides – even if that resulted in occasional heavy losses such as the 6-2 hammering versus Manchester United last season – was commended, while the players loved playing for him.
Surely a top-half finish, having given supporters plenty to cheer about either side of a big defeat every now and again, is better than ending up 17th using a far more pragmatic style of play?
Was sacking Bielsa the right decision?
Yes
No
Managers such as Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino idolise Bielsa, which tells you all you need to know about his philosophy and standing in the game. Leeds were lucky to have him as their manager, and Stelling’s comments are a little harsh given the impact the 66-year-old had, even if they were merely tongue-in-cheek.