Chris Sutton has backed Marcelo Bielsa after it was suggested that he should leave Leeds United in the summer, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The former striker was left baffled by the suggestion, which came from a Leeds fan following their defeat to Newcastle over the weekend.
When Bielsa first joined the Yorkshire club, they were sitting midtable in England’s second-tier and spending another season in the lower leagues.
But Bielsa walked through the doors and changed the fortunes of the club, by spending very little, and helping one of English football’s sleeping giants return to the big time.
Whether Bielsa leaves tomorrow or in three years time, he will probably have a statue put outside of Elland Road because of what he has done for the club.
Nonetheless, Sutton was left baffled when it was suggested the Argentinian should leave at the end of the campaign, as he pointed to the club’s injuries.
“Hang on a minute,” said Sutton. “You have rung on a few times banging on about how Bielsa revolutionised the game, how good he has been and Leeds going forward.
“This season we have spoken about the injuries. Then you are saying ‘Bielsa has to go’?
“How good were Leeds last week against West Ham? They were brilliant.”
When Leeds got promoted, it wasn’t just a case of Bielsa ensuring he improved the quality of the team in order for them to go up.
But, he also helped those at the club overcome the psychological barrier because they had been stuck outside of the Premier League for so many years.
Nottingham Forest, perhaps the biggest club outside of England’s top-tier, are another prime example of a team trying to overcome years and years of hurt.
Leeds may have struggled this season, but a lot of it has been down to being without the likes of Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips, who are their most important players.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
