The Marcelo Biesla era at Leeds United has got off to a much better start than many expected. Bielsa’s recent coaching stints at Marseille, Lazio, and Lille were displays of just how difficult the Argentine manager can be to work with.
For all of the praise he has constantly received as a manager, Bielsa has failed to win a trophy in Europe and many of his coaching jobs have gone down in flames. His last managerial award came in 2004 as Argentina’s manager at the Summer Olympics.
Bielsa’s lack of managerial trophies could come to an end this season, however. Leeds United are atop the Championship having secured 18 points from a possible 27. There has been a hiccup in the road recently with the team suffering its first loss. But is this the year Leeds United finally win promotion back to the Premier League?
In the spring of 2004 Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League. Financial mismanagement had doomed the club and a humiliating relegation to League One occurred just three seasons later. The Lily Whites spent three years in the third tier before finally reaching the Championship once more in 2010. Since then, Leeds United have been working to get back to the Premier League. An entire generation of Leeds Untied fans have gone without seeing their team in the top-flight.
This season has seen Leeds United score the second most goals in the Championship (19). Bielsa’s high intensity playing style has the team putting an emphasis on winning the ball and attacking straight away. Yet, Leeds United aren’t just about high pressure and lightning quick attacks.
The team has posted a 58 percent possession rate this term, the highest in the Championship. Goals are coming in from a variety of players and so far, Leeds United haven’t had to rely on just one player to get all the goals. Leading scorer Kemar Roofe has tallied four goals. Seven other players have got on the scoresheet this term as well.
Leeds United haven’t exactly won against the best teams in the Championship. There was a 4-1 win over Derby, but their other wins have come against teams outside the playoff places. A draw against second place Middlesbrough was a good result. However, Leeds United suffered their first loss last weekend at home to Birmingham. It was the Midlands’ club’s first win of the season. The competition should get stronger as the season progresses.
The Championship is a marathon of football. Last season’s league proved just how things can change over the course of a season. Fulham, who had been written off after the first half of the term, stormed back to win promotion through the playoffs. Leeds United have a long way to go to achieve Premier League promotion and Bielsa now needs consistency after such a great start.