"I would not consider any alternatives until may job here at Leeds is done. I am not going to be in contact with anyone and no-one has offered me anything. It is the least I can do given how I have been treated by the president of the club.
I understand that the club may have the needs to clear this up more quickly. I think it’s a normal, logical precaution they must take. That’s why I think it’s perfectly normal to have a list of alternatives.
Although it has not been manifested publically, it’s normal for a club to act this way. If the club needs an answer prior to the end of the season, I will respond in the anticipated manner. But I would like it to leave it clear, Leeds as a project surpasses me as a coach.
Any coach would like to work at this club, given how it has been designed. There is still a dozen games, a third of the season left. And the game always offer conclusions that help make the correct decisions.
I always propose that all the games are finished, not for me, not for those that give me a job. Perhaps in the third of the season that’s left they could perhaps confirm that they want to continue with me, but it could also happen that they don’t, or they could doubt.
SO it’s not me who has an attitude of speculation against Leeds. It’s just a precaution that tends to favour the club and not me. I repeat - don’t listen to this answer as me predicting the future.
The big coaches in the world, and I’m not considering myself as one of them, any of them would love to work in an organisation like the one Leeds have built."
Full Press Conference in link: https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/marcelo-bielsa-press-conference-live-19886625
Great answer from Bielsa, I think it looks pretty certain he will be here for another year at least.
Specific praise for 'The President' which will no doubt upset the conspiracy theorists out there.
I know Bielsa is incredibly modest and will always try to share the credit, but I do believe that AR, Orta & Angus do deserve a lot of credit for what has been achieved at the club, most notably managing to keep Bielsa so happy here. Not many have achieved this in the past.
I cannot wait to be back in the ground next season with a few new signings & Bielsa still in charge. I have zero concerns about 'second season syndrome' and top half should be that expectation instead.
Bielsa on Bielsa staying beyond this season
posted on 22/2/21
I think the one thing that radz, kinnear and orta have unarguably got right is not just the appointment of bielsa but managing him. They recognised his idiosyncrasies... understood that he’s a complete control freak and a bit of an oddball and that if you’re going to hire him you have at accept that and embrace it. You don’t hire him and shackle him, you don’t promise x and deliver y.
They rolled the dice to get him here, and let’s not be under any illusions, it was a gamble... but they recognised how to give it its best chance.
And the vast majority of us are grateful to all of them for it.
posted on 22/2/21
His integrity shines through that statement, Great Manager, even Greater Man
posted on 22/2/21
"I don't imagine my professional future. Nothing is better than what Leeds represents as a job."
God I love him.
We were a mid table chpionahip team when he arrived
But thats only one side of the story.
He has helped rebuild this club in a way that no other manager did, or probably could, after cellino and ghf tore it apart.
Personal I hope the statue we will build is sat on his bucket
posted on 22/2/21
comment by milkyboy (U12731)
posted 8 minutes ago
I think the one thing that radz, kinnear and orta have unarguably got right is not just the appointment of bielsa but managing him. They recognised his idiosyncrasies... understood that he’s a complete control freak and a bit of an oddball and that if you’re going to hire him you have at accept that and embrace it. You don’t hire him and shackle him, you don’t promise x and deliver y.
They rolled the dice to get him here, and let’s not be under any illusions, it was a gamble... but they recognised how to give it its best chance.
And the vast majority of us are grateful to all of them for it.
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Yes agree with with everything. Definitely a risk. But I think it was always going to require someone taking a risk to get us promoted. If Bates was prepared to take a much smaller risk with Grayson we might have gone up then. He couldn't even risk signing a cheap CB in January. Every season since it felt like it would take a bigger and bigger risk to get us up. AR risked losing a lot of money if this didn't work out.
We will be forever grateful the decision to bring in Bielsa was made. He's transformed the club forever.
posted on 22/2/21
As good as a manager bielsa is, I do think too many fans under estimate, how big a club Leeds is, and how much more potential there is.
Years of been raped, miss managed, has taken its toll with fans.
A match made in heaven
posted on 22/2/21
comment by LIW Radchancer (U8453)
posted 2 minutes ago
As good as a manager bielsa is, I do think too many fans under estimate, how big a club Leeds is, and how much more potential there is.
Years of been raped, miss managed, has taken its toll with fans.
A match made in heaven
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Regarding our potential as a football club, geographically, culturally, financially, historically ... Leeds United has the potential to become England’s Barcelona. In my lifetime, only Manny Cussins, Leslie Silver and of course the great Don have ever come close to realising that. As to whether we fulfil this potential, “more than a club”, let’s see😁👍🏆💙.
posted on 22/2/21
"...The big coaches in the world, and I’m not considering myself as one of them...."
Sorry to disagree MB but many if not all LUFC fans do consider you as one of the biggest and best in the world.
No one else had a cat in hells chance of doing what you have done with the resources that where available nearly 3 years ago.
posted on 22/2/21
"I think the one thing that radz, kinnear and orta have unarguably got right is not just the appointment of bielsa but managing him. They recognised his idiosyncrasies... understood that he’s a complete control freak and a bit of an oddball and that if you’re going to hire him you have at accept that and embrace it. You don’t hire him and shackle him, you don’t promise x and deliver y."
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Spot on
posted on 22/2/21
I think if he left at the end of the season there's a good chance you'd go down next year, but if you continue on with him you have potential to go far. I can't imagine he'd see his work as done till he establishes you at a PL side again
posted on 23/2/21
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56154118
If your a Leeds fan there is a lot you can see at Leeds from this article.