Marcelo Bielsa has already fired Leeds United into action, while Aston Villa fans face another Championship campaign under Steve Bruce.
Leeds United might have played just 90 minutes of competitive football under Marcelo Bielsa so it would perhaps be unwise to get carried away this early.
But the reality is that Sunday’s 3-1 battering of pre-season title favourites Stoke City, in front of the Sky Sports cameras no less, was a different world to the dross Leeds served up towards the end of last season under Paul Heckingbottom.
There is a reason Bielsa is one of the most respected, revolutionary tacticians in the modern era, a man admired by Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone and the most expensive manager in Leeds’ history.
Elland Road was bouncing as Leeds tore into Gary Rowett’s visitors, the aggression, speed and creative spark underpinning one of the most enjoyable displays produced by any Leeds side in recent history.
No wonder Aston Villa fans are looking a little green this Monday.
Villa’s Championship campaign begins against Hull City tonight but supporters pretty much know what to expect. It will be more rudimentary than revolutionary under Steve Bruce, who’s old-school, ‘direct’ tactics have frustrated fans over the last two years or so.
Villa appeared to take the ‘safe’ route when they kept faith with Bruce rather than hire, say, Thierry Henry. But, as Leeds have shown already, sometimes its better to think outside the box.
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