Marcelo Bielsa’s spell as Leeds United manager is remarkable for anyone who witnessed it at Elland Road.
With his intense pressing and man-marking approach, “El Loco” immediately captured the hearts and minds of his devoted followers.
Leeds fans turned out in droves to see a team relegated to League One and Championship football finally get back on track.
Elland Road has won numerous trophies over the years, including three First Division crowns, an FA Cup, and a League Cup.
Bielsa had finally roused Leeds, a sleeping behemoth.
The team had a successful first season, but they nearly lost out on automatic promotion and then came apart in the play-offs.
Fast forward a year, and Leeds’ sadness turned to elation as they secured their return to the Premier League with a promotion that many will remember.
Bielsa, like his players, would not stop there, as his team’s return to the top flight saw them dominate the league.
A top-half finish would be the pinnacle of that era, before relegation problems and an exit the following season.
Marcelo Bielsa broke a key rule for Leeds player Raphinha.
Many people who have watched Bielsa, whether through his football or press conferences, are aware that he adheres to certain very clear and defined ideals.
The style of play is all or nothing, and his demeanor is that of a teacher rather than a manager seeking attention for himself.
Being in that position, Bielsa has indicated that he prefers not to pick out individuals in specific ways in order to avoid creating divisions or hierarchies.
In a 2021 Sky Sports question and answer session, the Leeds manager said: “Normally I don’t like to make individual references that create hierarchies between the players in the team,” when asked which player he had nurtured the best.
While that appears to be the end of it, the manager did break this regulation once during his tenure at Leeds.
That was for former winger Raphinha, who had been a revelation for the team since his transfer from Rennes.
In 2022, the Brazilian was in contract talks with the club, and Bielsa stated in a news conference that “Raphinha is the best player in the team in every sense.”
“Physically, he is the best. Technically, he is on par with the greatest, and his understanding of the game is excellent.
“Within the group of such a prominent nation as Brazil, he shines in the Premier League and has the attention of all of the world’s top clubs.
“You’re already aware of all of that. Nothing new. As a result, the club’s choice can only be respected.”
It may demonstrate how good, or significant, Raphinha was at Leeds at this period before leaving for Barcelona.
