Leeds defender Pontus Jansson has been discussing life under manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson has been speaking to Swedish media outlet Fotboll Skanalen about working under manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Jansson returned late to pre-season after featuring for Sweden at the World Cup and is currently back on international duty.
The centre-back said that he has had very few conversations with Leeds’ new manager.
Jansson said: “[He is] very closed. I do not think I’ve talked to him than I’m honest. I’ve got a few excuses only, that’s all.
“Otherwise, he wants a distance to his players. Had I been a coach, I would not have had it so, but all coaches have their style. Then he has others in his staff who manages this everyday work and so on. Then it is also understandable because he can not speak fluent English.”
Jansson added that he has found it tough when he has been dropped, as was the case with the most recent game against Middlesbrough.
He said: “It has been mentally [difficult] even for me, now I have not played either, and of course it has also been difficult when no reason has been given. I blame myself because I came back so late.”
Jansson did have some positives to add, saying his time under Bielsa has been ‘incredibly educational’.
He added: “It almost felt like I had written for a new club when I came back.
“The team has got a good start, and I’m sure I’m happy about it. Now it’s just for me to step in and start playing and it’ll probably get even better.”
Bielsa’s Leeds are top of the Championship after five games and sit unbeaten.
This means any early misgivings about his methods can be swept under the carpet when results are so good.
Leeds need to hope this continues and they can stay in with a shot of promotion all season long.
Last season they began well but were more or less out of the promotion hunt by the turn of the year.
With a new manager in charge, potentially that is a scenario which will not be repeated.
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