Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has shared that he has been left ‘hurt’ by Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking at Leeds United, as he told Sky Sports.
It was Tottenham beating Leeds 4-0 over the weekend that resulted in Bielsa getting the chop from the powers that be at Elland Road.
Despite Bielsa being such a popular figure at the club, those at the top clearly felt that they were left with no choice but to sack their manager.
The Whites had been on a barren run and they had also been conceding an average of three goals from their last five matches.
Nonetheless, when Conte was told about the news of Bielsa’s sacking, he shared how he reacted.
“I am very disappointed,” said Conte. “We are talking about an important manager. We are talking about a person that is a master for many managers and many coaches, in the past and the present.
“Yesterday, when I read the news, this news hurt me. We are talking about, not just a manager with a great idea of football and vision of football. And taught a lot to the other people.
“But, at the same time, I have great respect for him as a person and as a man because, in every situation, he showed great integrity.”
Not only was he popular at Leeds because of his methods, but he was also highly thought of by those on outside of the club.
Many managers from Conte to Pep Guardiola to Mauricio Pochettino are all great admirers of the Argentine.
At the end of the day, it’s Bielsa’s gung-ho and all-action style of play that has resulted in Leeds having to make this call.
But, one thing is for sure, he entertained all those before him and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Leeds put a statue up of him outside of Elland Road.
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