Without a doubt for me, the best Leeds United manager of at least the last 25 years, yeah Marcelo Bielsa definitely had his flaws, but wow, some of the football we played under him at times was just breathtaking. Especially in the Championship.
To come in and get us playing like that after just one pre-season was nothing short of incredible, I remember thinking, “aye up,
A club in ‘God’s own country’ playing the type of football worthy of relative ascension, we swept aside most of the league on our way back to the promised land under ‘the messiah’ in a manner that was almost biblical.
The most astonishing thing? It was literally (almost) with the same squad of players that he inherited which prior to him taking over had languished in mid-table. But that’s Bielsa’s strength.
Working wonders and turning average players into near world-beaters – at least Championship winners. For me, there were a number that made a major improvement under Bielsa and even more than made the grade in the Premier League. In no particular order, I’ll take you through my top five.
Luke Ayling
My word. In just one season, Bielsa transformed an average right-back into a contender for an England call-up. Easily the best in his position in the Championship, he kept opposition wingers pinned down, produced quality on the counter-attack, including pinpoint crosses and some stunning strikes. Definitely one of the dressing room’s biggest personalities, Ayling swiftly became a firm fan favourite and one of the first name’s on the teamsheet.
Stuart Dallas
From useful utility player to serious contender, Dallas became an ever-present under Bielsa, playing in both full-back berths, central midfield or occasionally on the wing, his energy, distribution and, even finishing ability were instrumental to us and was easily one of our best players. I’ll never forget that match against Manchester City at the Etihad and his two goals – especially the last minute winner.
Mateusz Klich
I couldn’t believe the Klich that I saw in Bielsa’s first game in charge against Stoke City compared to the one that ended the previous season. It was like I was watching a different player. For me, it seemed that Bielsa with Klich had told him to forget everything he had learned about football and started again. And, wow – what a player he turned out to be. Easily the best box-to-box midfielder in the Championship and he even looked a force in the Premier League.
Ezjian Alioski
Ha, where do I start with ‘our Gjianni’? Bielsa turned him into a left-back and he never wavered. Alioski more than any other player I think had a permanent smile on his face and it was clear he enjoyed every minute. He definitely makes it onto this list and I don’t think Bielsa could have got any more out of him.
Pablo Hernandez
He already was very good, though I feel Bielsa took him to another level. Having already improved he rest of the squad, the extra little bit that he got out of Hernandez took us up a gear – he was simply unplayable in the Championship. Vision, passing, finishing, he had it all didn’t he? For me in that league, he was irreplaceable under Bielsa.
