Leeds United’s decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa might not have come as a surprise, but it has prompted huge emotion from the fans – and ex-players. Luciano Becchio and Jean-Kevin Augustin were among those to react.
Bielsa, 66, was relieved of his duties after a 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur – a game which Leeds won 3-1 last season. They have conceded 14 goals in their last three games, and six more than all of last season.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Bielsa has only ever wanted to sign one-year deals and that makes it easy to let him go. The outpouring of emotion has even spilled over to fans gathering at Elland Road.
Many fans waited hours to pay their respects to the man that returned Leeds back to the top tier – after 16 years out of the Premier League. In Yorkshire, Bielsa is seen as a God-like figure – on a par with Don Revie.
Becchio, a fellow Argentine, and Augustin – the French striker to join Bielsa’s men in January 2019, but only played three games – both reacted on Twitter. Augustin struggled for game time, but he even showed respect.
Becchio and Augustin on Bielsa: A risk by Leeds, but probably right
Perhaps, for the first time at Leeds, there was a feeling that Bielsa was getting it wrong. Injuries have not helped, but the need for new signings was huge in January – and Bielsa preferred to avoid additions.
There have been a few questionable decisions – but ultimately, the stubbornness of Bielsa to play the way he always has, and not with slightly more pragmatism, has cost him. Leeds have 12 cup finals left.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
