Bielsa

turkeydinner · 04-06-2018, 20:30

Leeds are in advanced talks with Marcelo Bielsa over their vacant manager's position, but what exactly would the Argentinian bring to Elland Road?

The 62-year-old is highly regarded in coaching circles for his work with Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille, but there have also been unsuccessful spells at Lille and Lazio, where he handed in his resignation just two days after his appointment

At least they are thinking big, great manager IMO

**Lord Snooty** · 04-06-2018, 23:31

I'll give him ten games, max!

**Lord Snooty** · 05-06-2018, 07:10

An ideal manager has just become available. Darren Ferguson has resigned at Doncaster.

WBA-Josh · (This post was last modified: 05-06-2018, 15:31 by WBA-Josh.)

I’m not convinced that Bielsa has what it takes to be a success in England. There’s no doubting his actual ability to mould together a strong team unit that plays really aggressive and intense football. High defensive line, intense pressing and fast incisive football.

The problem is his lack of tactical flexibility and inability to communicate in other languages. He sticks to the same two formations; 4-2-3-1 or 3-3-1-3 and never really fully changes his tactics. That means his team can be super exciting but also caught out defensively. Also when he was in France with Marseille and Lille, he only communicated in Spanish. Now whilst that was ok in France where they can understand elements of Spanish, he also had to go through his Assistant when communicating to players. If he has actually learned English then that second issue won’t arise but if he hasn’t then he may have a problem getting his message across.

If they do appoint him I’d expect Leeds to play the best football in the league and will have a brilliant first half to the season. Then the players will start to burn up in the second half and have a weaker end to the season. That’s just what happens to his teams.

**Lord Snooty** · 09-06-2018, 19:55

The word on the street now is that Steve Bruce is going to quit Villa and take over at Leeds. Don't know where these rumours have come from, but Bruce does have form in this kind of thing. He either gets clubs up and/or fails and bankrupts them.

What's it gonna be, Brucie? Big Grin

Devongone · 15-06-2018, 13:24

The big question now is which two teams are going up with Leeds?

They've got Bielsa. As top coaches and managers queue outside his door for a few minutes of his time, or that of his disciples at other clubs, I think the only problem to overcome would be his lack of English. I know as a player I wouldn't have found that easy, but it is not as if English is the only language spoken in our dressing rooms nowadays.

This man is the ultimate football obsessive. If Leeds have the sense (which would be a new feature) to buy into Bielsa and the players follow suit, they'll be back in the Premier League and the big time. This man is the real deal. Guardiola seeks him out FFS! But he can only whisper the horse to the water - it's going to have to want to drink.

Amelia Chaffinch · 15-06-2018, 13:28

But they won't! I am pretty sure he will be the next in a long line of failures. He hasn't even been to Leeds or met the team as far as I know. He has no idea of what or who he is taking on. But none of them must care. They know they will be paid off regardless.

**St Charles Owl** · 15-06-2018, 20:51

This is a fascinating appointment, a manager with a good CV who is a bit of a maverick taking over a club that have been in the doldrums for 20 years that show no signs of having any money for transfers!! This should be one we get the popcorn in for and watch with interest!!

WBA-Josh · 15-06-2018, 21:03

Bielsa is a quality coach but I don’t think Leeds will be promoted under him. They will have a superb start to the season and will play the best football in the league but as what happens to all his teams, they will implode towards the end as the intense football starts to bare down on the players. His tactical inflexibility will also be exposed in the Championship.

He and his team will be very entertaining at least.

**St Charles Owl** · 15-06-2018, 21:04

(15-06-2018, 21:03)WBA-Josh Wrote: Bielsa is a quality coach but I don’t think Leeds will be promoted under him. They will have a superb start to the season and will play the best football in the league but as what happens to all his teams, they will implode towards the end as the intense football starts to bare down on the players. His tactical inflexibility will also be exposed in the Championship.

He and his team will be very entertaining at least.

Only problem with that is he will need to have good enough players to do what he wants and unless they spend some money he will be working with quite an ordinary squad.