Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier has admitted that did not particularly enjoy playing under Marcelo Bielsa.
The £5 million (Athletic) starlet, previously branded as ‘outstanding’ may disappoint Leeds fans with this revelation, considering the Argentine’s style of play was lauded for being as entertaining as it gets.
However, Illan Meslier seems to disagree as he said, via Beanyman Sports that when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge of Leeds United, he was not the biggest admirer of things at Elland Road.
Meslier admits he did not enjoy Bielsa reign at Leeds
The veteran is considered as a Leeds legend, considering he not only spearheaded the club’s return to the Premier League but in the process, ensured that the side played a fearless brand of football.
While critics labelled his style of play as ‘one-dimensional’ and ‘naïve’, the supporters were chuffed with things on the pitch.
But it seems as if Illan Meslier was certainly not as he was candid in his verdict that life was not particular fun when Marcelo Bielsa was the manager of Leeds.
“Fun? I don’t know. I don’t think so. When you get the result, it’s alright. I have big respect for him but when it’s not working, it’s very difficult for us because we give a lot of effort but don’t get a result. It was difficult.”
Life under Bielsa is taxing behind-the-scenes
For all the breathless football that Leeds played under Bielsa, training regimes were renowned to be immensely tiring for every player involved, including Meslier.
‘Murderball’, as it was famously labelled required every player at the club to be ridiculously fit as those involved openly admitted that training sessions were far harder than actual league outings.
With that in mind, one can understand why Leeds shotstopper Illan Meslier suggests that both mentally and physically, things were exhausting under Marcelo Bielsa.
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