When the actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel this week he was not there to talk only about his role as Jaime Lannister in Game Of Thrones. Coster-Waldau, a Leeds United fan, led the crowd in a chant of “In Bielsa we trust", after describing a “chosen one" who will “come up north and magically transform it into this wonderful paradise".
Admittedly the audience initially thought he was discussing a mystery Game of Thrones character but the fact that he interrupted a prestigious TV interview to laud the manager of a second-tier English football club gives an illustration of just how far the cult of Marcelo Bielsa has spread.
Before Bielsa Leeds had in essence spent the better part of 17 years being a punchline, a disaster zone or both. Pick your own favourite moment: Peter Ridsdale’s fish tank; financial ruin; having to sell Elland Road and their training ground; embracing Ken Bates as a saviour; administration; 2 separate points deductions that helped put them into League One and kept them there for 3 years; Massimo Cellino and 7 managers in 3 years; Dave Hockaday’s mystifying appointment; the Steve Evans experience; a succession of dispiriting campaigns in which little hope existed.
Not now. The funniest thing about Leeds this season has been “Spygate" and at that time most people were laughing with them rather than at them. Bielsa has made Leeds a successful team, challenging for automatic promotion in one of the most entertaining races in years. But perhaps more importantly thanks to him, the owner Andrea Radrizzani, director of football Victor Orta and managing director Angus Kinnear the club have been revolutionised.
He has implemented changes that should stay for a long time, not least at their training ground, but more importantly he has re-enthused a disillusioned fanbase that trickled away over the years, partly through winning games but also with the style of football that few thought was possible with this squad.
“He has ensured these players and the club relate to the fans and the community, which is something we haven’t had in recent times," says Peter Emmerson, vice-chairman of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust. “You can tell Bielsa feels honoured to be at Leeds and the feeling is reciprocated by the fans. It’s no coincidence that we are selling out our home and away games in record time." Even the youth teams are doing well: the U23s and U18s are top of their respective leagues.
Despite all of this there is a real chance that they may not win promotion back to the Premier League. The remaining 5 games, starting with the visit of Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday evening, will be a chaotic dash as they and Sheffield United scrap for the second automatic spot, behind Norwich. Leeds occupy it now but they have suffered some surprising recent defeats and, if the season started after Boxing Day, they would be ninth. If they do not make the top 2 they should win the play-offs, but “should" is a dangerous word in that context.
But would failing to win promotion matter that much? Would this season be regarded as a failure if they do not go up? Instinctively the answer is yes but that is only from the default position that success in the Championship is escaping it.
(continued)
Bielsa is a Success, Promoted or Not 1 of 2
posted on 13/4/19
People seem to forget that this side of ours was top under TC last season for a decent chunk of it. Bielsa hasn't taken over a newly promoted L1 side, nor a relegation battler. A team of our size should be competing for promotion every season.
posted on 13/4/19
Anything other than promotion is failure!
posted on 13/4/19
The target was top six at the start of the season and most of us would have given blood for where we are now. So for me he’s been a success - promotion or not.
posted on 13/4/19
Same old same crap being written!..
This season has seen football that hasn't been seen around Leeds for crap knows how long, Bielsa and his team are the ones that are making a team out of players that were known as average this time last season, and why is TC not with us anymore?..
Under Bielsa we I think have been in first place for most of the season, this year has gone for us much better than most in football had expected, and anyone who thinks differently should sit and think seriously about what they thought before the season started!..
People were demanding but not expecting!..
posted on 13/4/19
comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 3 minutes ago
The target was top six at the start of the season and most of us would have given blood for where we are now. So for me he’s been a success - promotion or not.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
we look at this team completely differently from last year. we expect more because bielsa has made us believe again. those saying anything besides promotion is a failure are disrespecting him.
a fluke goal in a playoff game can keep us down.
posted on 13/4/19
I’m unsure whether some have read the article before commenting.
posted on 13/4/19
A resounding success on so many levels. If he can cap it off and see us up the guy is a legend as a far as I am concerned. He's done it all without slagging off referees, the opposition and the players fight for him and believe in him and his methods.One of top 10 coaches in the world currently in my opinion.
posted on 13/4/19
I read it this morning Jonny, I copied it and started writing an article but binned it!.
posted on 13/4/19
So many d!ckhead WUM's on this board, go back to the Man Utd Board where you belong Saiz and Shaun
posted on 14/4/19
Of course bielsa has been a success.
Worst case scenario is we miss out in the play offs and he lives this summer.
We are stil far better than we were before and we have a had a great season.
And that’s the worst possible situation.
If we don’t go up I want to him to stay whatever.
Whatever happens I want him to stay as long as possible.
He’s effing brilliant.