Leeds United sack Argentine manager after loss to Tottenham

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked by Leeds United after a run of poor form that saw his side suffer several heavy defeats.

The 66-year-old Argentine, appointed in June 2018, leaves with the Whites two points above the relegation zone.

Leeds United can confirm the club have parted company with head coach Marcelo Bielsa

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 27, 2022

Under Bielsa, Leeds finished ninth last season on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

But Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Tottenham meant they had lost their past four games by an aggregate score of 17-2.

Leeds had finished mid-table in the Championship in six of the previous seven seasons before Bielsa’s arrival.

After they lost in the play-offs to Derby in the 2018-19 season, Bielsa’s team was promoted as champions in July 2020 when the following season restarted after the coronavirus pandemic.

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, who became an England international under Bielsa’s guidance, thanked the Argentine coach for “changing everything for everyone” at the West Yorkshire club.

Leeds said they were aiming to make an announcement on Bielsa’s replacement on Monday.

Former RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch is thought to be the favourite to take over.

The 48-year-old American, who has also coached New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, left the German club in November after a five-month spell ended by mutual consent.

Other potential candidates could include former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, who replaced Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao and is currently out of work, and Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan.

Related