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Bielsa Ball
Bielsa’s passion and attention to detail will help Leeds flourish in the Premier League… I can wait to watch them
EVERYONE knows I am a Manchester United fan — but I cannot wait to see Leeds in the Premier League.
They are a welcome addition, as will the brilliant Marcelo Bielsa.
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The big thing Bielsa has done is give the club direction and stability.
Since being relegated in 2004 they have had 15 permanent managers, five owners and hundreds of players.
It has been ridiculous.
He created this bond and togetherness — and not just with the players, but the whole staff.
He may look animated and moody on the sidelines but there is a caring side people don’t see.
When he first arrived, he organised a raffle for staff working at the club.
He bought a mobile phone, TV and a VW Polo and gave them the chance to win them.
He understands the value of unity.
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We know his attention to detail is insane, but it began even before his side kicked a ball in a professional game.
The first friendly he was in charge for was against Forest Green Rovers.
In preparation, he got Rovers’ three previous friendlies recorded and watched them on repeat.
He also watched every game Leeds played in the league the previous season.
It is that obsessiveness that inspired Mauricio Pochettino, Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone.
Bielsa is also one of the best at improving players and rarely dips into the transfer market.
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Since arriving he really only spent on Helder Costa, Patrick Bamford and Barry Douglas.
He has been dedicated to improving the likes of Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich.
He also transformed Kalvin Phillips into one of the best defensive midfielders in England.
Klich has started every league game since Bielsa arrived. He has had six goals and five assists this year — and got ten goals last year.
But before Bielsa joined, he was on the periphery of the squad.
At Athletic Bilbao, Bielsa moved Javi Martinez from midfield to centre-back — and the player went on to star there for Bayern Munich.
He did the same at Leeds with defender Ben White, who he turned into a defensive midfielder.
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When Bielsa was boss of Argentina, he dropped Juan Roman Riquelme.
He then went to a testimonial for Boca Juniors where Riquelme was their hero and Bielsa got booed all game.
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Bielsa said he loved it and it was the essence of football. That’s how I know he is going to love the Premier League. He is a proper football man.
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