Patrick Bamford has told FootballJOE why Marcelo Bielsa is not the sort of coach to offer an arm around the shoulder, but is a father-like figure at Leeds United.
Bielsa is in his fourth season at Elland Road and enjoying a second Premier League term.
The Argentine led the Whites a ninth-place finish during their first year in top-flight after winning the 2019/20 Championship title.
Bamford has been a part of Bielsa’s plans from the start having arrived in West Yorkshire from Middlesbrough the same summer, leaving the Riverside Stadium in a £10m transfer.
Bielsa has gotten the best out of Bamford, who fired Leeds to promotion with 16 goals in 45 games. Only to better his return in the Premier League with 17 in 38 appearances.
He has so far struck home once in five games this term after missing six fixtures through an ankle injury.
The striker’s absence is a big blow for his £154k-a-week manager, Bielsa, as Bamford is pivotal to how Leeds play.
Bamford describes Leeds boss Bielsa in three words
Bielsa has left an impression on Bamford at Leeds over the past three-and-a-half years. And the 28-year-old has described the Argentine in three words, sharing after much though:
“Meticulous. Endearing. Passionate.”
Breaking down why he would describe Bielsa as an endearing person, he added:
“I say endearing because I feel like he’s not the kind of person that you’re going to go to and look for an arm round [the shoulder] and someone to kind of give you that boost.
“But in terms of the way he believes in us, and the amount of time he puts into each individual player.
“In order to do that, you have to have a lot of, not just respect for someone, but you have to really kind of love them, almost like your son.
“I feel like there is that kind of relationship between him and all the players.”
Bamford describing Bielsa as a father-like figure and the attention he shows should help the Leeds striker on his return.
The Argentine found a way to turn Bamford into a prolific attacker, and earn his senior England debut in September.
Unlocking that level of output again will be very welcome at Elland Road, with the Whites only three-points clear of the relegation zone after a difficult start to their season.
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