Marcelo Bielsa sacked as Leeds manager

Leeds United announced that Argentine Marcelo Bielsa has stepped down as head coach of the club after three and a half years.

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The English team is sixteenth in the Premier League, has four consecutive defeats, and is only two points above the relegation zone.

The club heaped praise on the man who had been their manager since June 2018 by stating that he "transformed the team's fortunes and in his first season led them to the Championship playoffs."

In his second season, the statement continues, "Bielsa succeeded where previous ones had failed, guiding the club to the Championship title by 10 points and gaining promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years."

"In the club's return to the top flight, Leeds finished ninth, securing the most points for a newly-promoted team in the Premier League since the 2000/01 campaign," he adds.

By contrast, "this season proved difficult and the team recorded only five wins in the Premier League".

It was not an easy decision

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said:

"Under Marcelo, 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 all of us. The promotion will long remain in the fans' memories," Radrizzani continued.

The Leeds chairman added: "However, I have to act in the best interests of the club and I believe a change is required now to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances did not meet our expectations."

Bielsa made his mark at Leeds

Director of soccer, Spaniard Victor Orta, added that "since arriving at Leeds United, Marcelo has had a huge impact on the club, on a scale I had not seen before."

"He created a legacy, overseeing major infrastructure improvements at Thorp Arch, bringing fans and players together, and providing a clear path for young players to make the transition to the first team," Orta added.

"It is disappointing that his time had to end this way, given the special moments we enjoyed in recent years, which were some of the best of my career, but we can't hide from recent results," Orta finished.

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