LONDON — Leeds United on Sunday sacked manager
Marcelo Bielsa following a poor run of results that has left the Premier League
side just two points above the relegation zone.
اضافة اعلان
Saturday's dispiriting 4-0 loss to
Tottenham at
Elland Road was their fourth straight defeat, a run during which
they have conceded 17 goals.
The 66-year-old Argentine remained
convinced he could turn things around after the Spurs loss, but the Leeds board
decided they had to act.
The club intends to make an
announcement regarding Bielsa's successor on Monday, with former RB Leipzig and
RB Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch the heavy favorite to take over.
"Leeds United can today confirm
the club have parted company with head coach Marcelo Bielsa," a club
statement said.
Chairman Andrea Radrizzani said he
was forced to act due to the club's "precarious position" in the
Premier League.
"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."
The former Argentina manager, who
took charge at Elland Road in 2018, will be remembered as one of the most
important managers in the club's history.
Premier League return
He ended Leeds' 16-year absence from
the Premier League and then delivering a top-10 finish in their first season
back in swashbuckling style.
But their second season in the top
flight has been blighted by injuries and increasing questions over Bielsa's
tactics.
Bielsa has been deprived of key
players for large chunks of the season, including forward Patrick Bamford and
midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
His tactics and refusal to switch
from his renowned style also came under fire as the 60 goals they have conceded
is the worst in the division by some distance.
Bielsa leaves with the club in 16th
position, two points from safety and in real danger of returning to the
Championship.
Marsch, 48, has been heavily linked
with the Leeds job. He has been out of work since leaving Bundesliga side RB
Leipzig last year but is best known for his work at New York Red Bulls and RB
Salzburg.
Leeds are next in action when they
visit Leicester Saturday.
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 added: "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."
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