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Leeds United part company with their manager; replacement lined up

Leeds United part company with their manager Marcelo Bielsa and a replacement is already lined up and thought to be Jesse Marsch.

After a string of awful results over the last few weeks, the Argentine’s time at Elland Road has come to an end.

Bielsa will always be remembered as the man who finally restored Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence from top-flight football but results throughout the year have not been up to scratch, with his side conceding 60 goals in just 26 league games and losing four games on the bounce by heavy margins.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Leeds United can today confirm the club have parted company with head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

The 66-year-old was in charge of the team for over three-and-a-half years, having taken the reins in June 2018.

He transformed the club’s fortunes on the pitch, which began with the 3-1 demolition of Stoke City at Elland Road two months later and he led Leeds to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs in his first full season in charge.

In his second campaign Bielsa succeeded where those before him had failed, guiding the club to the Sky Bet Championship title, winning the division by 10 points, and resulting in promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.

On the club’s return to the top-flight, Leeds finished ninth, securing the highest points tally by a newly promoted side in the Premier League since the 2000/01 campaign.

However, this season has proved to be difficult and the team has recorded just five Premier League wins.

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said: “This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club.

“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included.

“However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.

“We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.

“Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future.”

Director of football Victor Orta added: “Since arriving at Leeds United Marcelo had a huge impact on the club, on a scale I have not seen before.

“He has created a legacy, overseeing major infrastructure improvements at Thorp Arch, uniting the supporters and the players, and giving a clear pathway for young players to transition into the first team.

“It is disappointing his reign has had to end in this manner, given the special times we have enjoyed in recent years, which have been some of the best in my career, but we cannot hide from recent results.

“I would like to thank Marcelo for his commitment and dedication, and I wish him every success going forwards.”

Plans for a permanent tribute to Marcelo at Elland Road are under way and more information will be released in due course.

Leeds United will aim to make an announcement on a new appointment tomorrow.

Twitter users reacted as Leeds United part company with their manager and a replacement already lined up…

@ChampsOfEurope7: An awful way to end a perfect love story. Heartbroken to say the least. Made every real leeds fan fall in love with football again and I am forever grateful for his service at the club. 💙💛

@LUFC_Jake_: He leaves with his head held high. Radrizanni, Orta, Kinnear and the players all have their heads down. Big mistake. Thank you, Marcelo 💔

@ZBerrycloth: Leeds United supporters can confirm that the vast majority of us are not happy with this decision. And we are not happy with how it has been. Marcelo Bielsa. re-United a fractured club & support. And deserved better. #LUFC

@DonnaMcIlroy75: Poor show from the board, thought you understood what it is to be Leeds, the last day has shown you have alot to learn about our club. Thank you Marcelo for uniting us, making us believe and allowing us to watch you develop our players and make me proud to be Leeds Utd supporter

@AaacccccCcc: Everybody agrees recent performances and results were not what we expected – it happens when key players have no backup. Having only 1 keeper, 1 striker and 1 CDM at the club is negligent.

@ryaaaan1993: Can’t believe the board have panicked this badly, what a man I will love this guy forever thank you Marcelo, you deserved better

@jimmy2002_uk: Shocking decision – he started us on this journey he should have had at least the opportunity to finish it!! Thank you Marcelo for re-Ignighting the club we all love and for giving us some of the best years of football for decades 💛💙🤍

@leedsthat: Unforgettable time. Nothing but love for Marcelo Bielsa. He is infinite!

@dwj66: Disaster – board accountable. Marcelo thank you for everything, you reignited my love of the beautiful game and made us great again #lufc

@BleatingGreek: You will be with us forever. Until the world stops going round. We love you, and we always will. Gracias Marcelo 💙

@GarySmithJnr: I got hounded by Leeds fans for calling Bielsa a myth about 18 months ago. Apparently he is one of the best because Pep said he is… 🥴 Seems a lovely genuine bloke, but tactically inept.

@BLayerofficial: Absolute car crash by the board

@AdeHudson: Thanks for everything Marcelo. No one can take away the memories you have given us and as much as I understand that @LUFC is a business I doubt any Manager would have done better with the current squad and injuries. Hope for our sake this turns out to be the right decision.

@LUJC83: Thank you, Marcelo. There were times, especially in the League One days, when I wondered if I’d ever see Leeds in the Premier League again and you made it happen. You have transformed the Club. It’s a sad day today. #lufc

@OnlyOneJYP: Fuming

@Dwarfland25: Should have at least waited till Leicester. Obvious we’d get nothing from the last 3 games, it’s the next 3 that count and pick up a couple of wins and the situation would look different. You blinked too early.

@Dannylowe85: Genuinely am gutted for MB. Not been great for him at all with Injuries but he’s always been a class act, however the handling of this by the club is shocking and he deserved much more respect on how this been handled. Some serious questions at the top now and pressure

@BarneyLUFC21: A shocking statement for what this man has done for this club and city. During these downs we should be together fighting together but you have ruined this now. You’ve let Bielsa down and the fans down

@SemperFiArsenal: One of the few managers who never compromised on their ideals and tried and played good attacking football throughout. Premier league will be a poorer place without him. Good luck to him for the future. Will be missed

@acdcaido: I don’t agree. Not happy about it. Bielsa was to younger fans what revie was to a generation before. He Made me so proud to wear my colours the last 4 years. Hope he has good life. Sad day

@paulmchale16: Shocking decision!!! The chances of us getting anything from these 3 games were slim however with injuries it made the task even harder. Our squad needed investment last summer but even more so in January. He deserved to see out the season at least. #Bielsalegend

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