Rio Ferdinand has effusively praised Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa after watching the master at work during a training session at Thorp Arch this week.
The former Whites centre-back returned to West Yorkshire to watch Bielsa put his side through their paces ahead of this afternoon’s visit to Sheffield United.
The Argentine masterminded a promotion-winning campaign in the Championship last season and Leeds have got pulses racing on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
United conceded seven goals and scored seven in their first two games, winning and losing games against Fulham and champions Liverpool respectively, before edging out the Blades 1-0 today.
The Elland Road club pulled off a serious coup by luring the former Athletic Bilbao and Marseille coach to England two years ago and what an inspired appointment, with Bielsa boasting disciples in the form of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino.
And here’s what Ferdinand told LUTV after watching the veteran coach in action this week.
He said: “I’ve got to be honest. People talk about how great how he is. He’s been around a long time and when you haven’t seen it it’s a breath of fresh air [Bielsa working]. It’s so informative. Everything is done with a purpose in every session. There’s no wasted time. Very methodical. He just really interests me, really intriguing.”
Two wins from his first three games is a really decent start to life in the top flight for Bielsa, whose Leeds side only lost at Liverpool because of a late penalty.
Early days, but so far he looks every inch the head coach that he’s billed to be and it’ll be fascinating to see how United improve over the course of the season.
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