90Min claim a handful of senior Leeds players held a meeting with Marcelo Bielsa to discuss a potential change of tactics. However, Bielsa’s refusal to entertain a slightly-more pragmatic approach contributed to his sacking.
Bielsa, 66, was fired by the Leeds board after almost four years in charge on Sunday – after his Leeds side picked up one point from a possible 15. In that time, 20 goals have gone in – Spurs winning last time out, 4-0 at Elland Road.
The morning after saw Leeds decide to axe Bielsa, and then less than 48 hours later, in came Jesse Marsch. The American gaffer has signed a deal until the summer of 2025, and will now be tasked with keeping Leeds up.
The report states that a handful of senior Leeds players held talks with Bielsa – potentially, the likes of Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Luke Ayling – to discuss a potential change in tactics. But Bielsa refused to compromise.
90Min report that refusal to give in and play more defensively, like he did at points last season, contributed to his exit on Sunday. The board also felt that there was a lack of confidence in Bielsa to stave off the threat of relegation.
Bielsa exit: Last season, Leeds did alter style of play – why not now?
After conceding eight goals in two matches to Manchester United and Newcastle, Leeds sat back. In a 1-0 win, their next match, against Burnley at Elland Road, the Whites played incredibly defensively to hold onto the win.
They won five of their next eight games including that Burnley win, conceding only seven goals and keeping three clean sheets. Why did Bielsa not want to revert to that style this time around?
Perhaps Bielsa felt that the club needed to attack to win matches, instead of focusing on defence and picking up the odd draw. But ultimately, Leeds need to stem the flow of goals and that task is now up to Marsch.
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