Updated 10 minutes ago
Leeds have fired head coach Marcel Biels after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.
The heavy defeat at Elland Road was their fourth in five games – a series in which they conceded 20 goals and fell into the relegation zone of the Premier League.
The 66-year-old was still convinced that he could change the situation after losing to Spurs, but the leadership of Leeds decided otherwise, and the former boss of RB Leipzig Jesse Marsh became the main favorite. The club say it hopes to announce its new manager on Monday.
Bielsa will be remembered as one of the most important managers in the history of the club, who finally ended his 16-year absence from the Premier League and then returned to the top 10 in his first season in a cunning style.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radritzani said on the club’s official website: “It was the hardest decision I had to make during my stay at Leeds United, taking into account all of Marcelo’s success at the club.
“With Marcel as head coach we have had three incredible campaigns and good times are back on Eland Road. It changed the culture of the club and brought us all a winning mentality.
“The moments created, especially in the 2019/20 season and the victory in the Premier League, will, of course, live long in all our memories, including mine and the fans.
“However, I have to act in the interests of the club and I believe that changes are needed now to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and speeches have not met our expectations.
“We are in a precarious position in the league and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach to influence the crucial stage of the season.
“Naturally, I, along with everyone else at the club, would like to thank Marcel for his efforts and achievements and wish him all the best in the future.”
The Argentine is a cult hero on Elland Road who joined the club in the summer of 2018.
After losing in the playoffs in its first season, they took the league by storm the following year to finally return to the Premier League as champions.
Leeds did not stop there, as they returned to the major leagues, receiving praise for their style of play when Bielsa led them to ninth place – their highest finish in the league since the 2001-02 season.
But it has always been difficult to repeat, not least because of the heavy list of injuries that have deprived Biels of key players, including Patrick Bamford and Calvin Phillips.
Bielsa’s tactics and abandonment of his famous style have also been criticized as the 60 goals they conceded are the worst in the division over some distance.
Bielsa, whose managerial career began in 1990 with the Newell’s Old Boys, leaves the club in 16th place, two points away from safety and in real danger of returning to the Championship.
The 48-year-old March was strongly linked to the capture of Elland Road. He did not work after leaving “RB Leipzig” last year, but is best known for his work in “New York Red Bulls” and “RB Salzburg”.
Leeds is next in action when they visit Leicester next Saturday.
Football director Victor Orta added: “Since arriving at Leeds United, Marcelo has had a huge impact on a club of a scale I have never seen before.
“He has created a legacy by overseeing major infrastructure improvements at Thorp Arch, bringing together fans and players and giving young players a clear path to moving to the first team.
“It’s unfortunate that his reign should have ended that way, given the special times we’ve spent in recent years that have been some of the best in my career, but we can’t hide from the latest results.
“I would like to thank Marcel for his commitment and dedication and wish him success in the future.”
The42 is on Instagram! Click the button below on your phone to follow us!