Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about Marcelo Bielsa’s departure from Leeds United.
The Argentine was sacked after a 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and while Bielsa seemed like the perfect manager for Leeds for so long, a change was needed at Elland Road.
Things haven’t gone to plan for Bielsa this season, and Ferdinand believes that the former Whites gaffer has come unstuck due to the fact he refused to alter his tactics after picking up three crucial injuries.
What’s been said?
Ferdinand gave his view on the former Leeds boss.
“He’s had three big injuries, the captain at centre-back, Kalvin Phillips, probably their best player and Bamford, their top scorer, so you have to use that has a balancer,” Ferdinand said.
“However, when that happens and you lose your three best or most influential players you think you may have to alter your tactics then. But he altered personnel but he didn’t alter the tactics, and I think that was his undoing. As much as I admire him, you need to have that willingness to adapt when you’re in that relegation battle.”
Too stubborn
Ferdinand has hit the nail on the head here, Bielsa was simply too stubborn.
Of course, injuries aren’t his fault, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and Bielsa never recognised that.
He stuck to his guns with his high-pressing man-marking style, and he was found out.
Ultimately, that’s what cost him his job.
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