Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United but, as former England ace Emile Heskey tells HITC, the Spaniard may not be the right man for the job.
If you’re a casual La Liga observer you’d be forgiven for assuming Lopetegui, a former Spain and Real Madrid coach, was one of those identikit Spanish tacticians – all tika taka and pretty, possession-heavy football.
But, as those who know their Villarreals from their Valladolids will tell you, the Basque-born 54-year-old is more Unai Emery than Pep Guardiola.
His Sevilla team, the one that crushed Wolves, Manchester United and Inter Milan en route to Europa League glory last term, was an organised, well-drilled unit, reliant on buccaneering wing play and led by a 6ft-something target man in Luuk de Jong.
And, despite guiding the Andalusians to yet another European trophy, some in Seville who have grown tired of the stodgy, sluggish performances that have become their trademark in La Liga.
Saturday’s win at newly promoted Huesca was typical of Loptegui’s Sevilla – 68 per cent possession but just four shots on target and a single, 83rd minute goal.
“When you’re looking at something Bielsa has built, you need someone who’s going to be able to take those reins in the same fashion. You don’t want to be going dramatically from that to something else,” Heskey says, questioning whether Leeds could adapt to a different approach after being fine-tuned in the arts of ‘Bielsaball’.
“It’s working with Bielsa. Can he help to groom a younger coach who is of the same ilk? They’re playing some really exciting, attractive football. Their philosophy is what it is. Can they now have somebody groomed to take over?
“(Lopetegui’s style) is totally different to what they’re used to now. It will take a while for everyone to understand it and it will be even tougher if you’re not getting the results with it as well.”
The Sun reports Lopetegui’s contract is due to expire in 2022 – meaning he is likely to be available if Bielsa shuffles into the sunset at the end of next season.
But perhaps Carlos Corberan, the Bielsa disciple who is pulling up trees at Huddersfield Town with a free-flowing style befitting of his mentor, would represent a more sensible succession plan?
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