CHRIS SUTTON: Leeds decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa could come back to bite them

Marcelo Bielsa is a big loss to English football. His style of play could be kamikaze at times but it was never boring to watch. 

He was a master of chaos, and it is thanks to him that the juggernaut that is Leeds United Football Club returned to the Premier League after too long away. 

Maybe his stubbornness was his downfall — he loves that man-to-man marking system of his and stood by it to the bitter end — but then he’s had terrible luck with injuries. 

Marcelo Bielsa was dismissed from his managerial role at Leeds after a 4-0 defeat on Saturday

I’m not sure getting rid of him was the right move to make, in truth. There is a heap of pressure on Leeds to survive now under his replacement. You only needed to look at the reaction of the fans to understand what Bielsa means to them. 

They’re heartbroken. They adored him. They’d love a statue of him sitting on his bucket to be installed outside Elland Road, and I bet we hear his name sung by the supporters at their next home game. 

You can’t sack this beloved boss and still go down. That’s just not an option. If that happens, there will be a real feeling of toxicity towards the board. Bielsa got Leeds through tough spells in the past. 

Even the 2019-20 season when they won the Championship, they secured only two victories in 11 games around Christmas and you started to think ‘uh oh’. But then they found form to finish first and win promotion. 

Bielsa was a refreshing addition to our game. Now he’s gone and Leeds have must-win games coming up against other struggling sides. The pressure is on if they’re to remain a Premier League club.

Bielsa got Leeds promoted to the Premier League following their 16-year top-flight absence