Former Leeds United defender Dominic Matteo believes the Whites were justified in their decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa as their manager last month. Bielsa was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after Leeds’ 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and replaced by Jesse Marsch.
Bielsa spent over three-and-a-half seasons at Elland Road and helped rekindle the relationship between the club and its supporters thanks to his efforts both on and off the pitch. However, Leeds ’ form in his final month at the club had taken a drastic turn for the worse as they picked up just one point in his last six matches, conceding 21 goals during that timeframe.
It took three games for Marsch to earn his first victory as Leeds boss, as Joe Gelhardt’s dramatic stoppage time goal earned a 2-1 win over Norwich City. Speaking on the GegenPod, Matteo was quick to heap the praise on the job Bielsa did, but thinks that a change was needed in order to save the club’s season.
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He said: “When I took ill, the club actually gave me a job straight away, which has really helped me to get back going again and get back on my feet again. Seeing them more or less from the start, I was at most games, even throughout that period - it’s been great to see. We all know what a great club it is, what a big club it is and I think under Marcelo Bielsa he did an amazing job but probably took them as far as he could.
“Maybe they could’ve made the change a little sooner - in my head I was thinking that Marcelo was so good, but he’d probably take them as far as he could. It was the longest he’d ever stayed at a football club which is incredible, and he’s loved in Leeds. Jesse’s come in now and he’s going to have to take over the mantle. We got the great win on Sunday which was amazing and we really needed that.
“I think Jesse Marsch will be a good manager, he speaks really well, I’ve been lucky to bump into him a couple of times already so he’s around everyone. When you’re taking over from Marcelo Bielsa - you’re on a hiding to nothing really, it’s a very tough job. The guy is loved everywhere. We know how intense it was - murderball they used to call it - it didn’t sound too good to me that, I wouldn’t have fancied it, I’d have been out of the way somewhere.
“But I think fresh ideas that have come in, he’s [Marsch] got good pedigree and I think sometimes it is good to get fresh ideas. He’s coming in late and at a tough time, but I think already there is a bit of enthusiasm about it. He speaks the language which always helps all of us.”
