TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Leeds United sack Marcelo Bielsa from team manager. The announcement was made on Sunday, the day after the 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Week 27 of the Premier League.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani described Bielsa’s sacking as the toughest decision he has made since taking ownership of the club in May 2017.
“This is the toughest decision I have had to make since I was at Leeds United, given Marcelo’s success at this club,” said Radrizzani, quoted from the official Leeds website.
“With Marcelo as head coach we have had three great seasons and happy days are back at Elland Road.”
“It’s just that I have to take steps in the best interests of the club and I believe now it is necessary to change to stay in the Premier League. Recent results and performances have not met expectations at all,” he added.
Leeds’ performances this season are in stark contrast to last season’s, when Bielsa arrived for the first time bringing the Premier League atmosphere and the highest caste back to Elland Road after 16 years missing.
The decision to sack Bielsa came after a negative trend without a win and just one point in the last five matches. The match against Tottenham on Saturday was the last match for Bielsa.
Leeds is currently in 16th place in the standings with 23 points. They are just two points adrift of the red zone, where Burnley sit 18th with two games yet to be played.
The condition was clearly inversely proportional to when Leeds competed for a place in the European zone last season, although they eventually finished in ninth position.
Leeds’ poor performance this season cannot be separated from the storm of injuries that plagued their squad. Their top scorer last season, Patrick Bamford has only played six times this season. Captain Calvin Phillips is also still sidelined through injury and has only featured in 12 league games.
The club said it would pay tribute to Bielsa. In the near future, the club will announce his successor.
Marcelo Bielsa is the ninth coach to be sacked in the Premier League this season. Last month, Everton sacked Rafa Benitez and Watford cut their relationship with Claudio Ranieri.
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