Ian Wright has claimed that Marcelo Bielsa will be sorely missed by the Premier League after he was relieved of his duties as Leeds United head coach.
The Argentine’s three-and-a-half-year reign as Whites boss came to an end on the back of the heavy defeat against Tottenham.
His replacement, Jesse Marsch, has since been hired to ensure that the club are playing top-flight football again next season but supporters are still gutted by Bielsa’s exit.
Wright has been one of the pundits full of praise for Leeds in the last few years and has regularly spoke of his admiration for the way they played under the 66-year-old.
On Wednesday’s episode of the Wrighty’s House podcast with Ringer FC, the former Arsenal striker revealed his thoughts on his departure.
“So Bielsa’s gone and, I’ve got to say, he’ll be sorely missed,” he said.
“What his football was and what Leeds were when he took over, I’m kind of gutted for Leeds because I wanted him to have more but we know that he signs one-year contracts, he’s not holding clubs to ransom in terms of ‘okay, I’m going but you’ll have to pay me all this [money].’”
Wright recalled a few moments of Bielsa’s time in charge that really showed his connection with what the supporters wanted from him and their club.
He reflected on matches against Stoke, the first of his time in charge, and Arsenal, in the FA Cup the following season, as well as the spy-gate scandal involving Derby.
“I remember the [Stoke] game really well, it was embarrassing how good Leeds were and then you’re thinking ‘okay, now I see why those guys were talking about him’.,” said the former England forward.
“Leeds were like a well-oiled machine, everyone was everywhere. When they came to play Arsenal in the FA Cup last season, we beat them but I’ve never seen such a hiding, we took a hiding off them.
“Remember the spygate, his explanation, oh my god! Listening to him unapologetically explain ‘well, what’s the big deal here?’
“We were all up in arms saying that it was so unsportsmanlike but when he explained it, I was like ‘Jesus Christ, this man is different’.
“What I loved about that was that Leeds fans embraced it. I remember when I was younger, remember it was ‘dirty Leeds’ and everyone hated Leeds, this gave Leeds their siege mentality back.”
Like Leeds fans, Wright is hopeful that the solid foundations laid by Bielsa can be built upon by his successor.
“What [Bielsa] has brought to that club and that community is exactly what Leeds needed at that particular time,” he added. “You’re hoping now that it can move forward and that Jesse Marsch can move forward and do his stuff.
“But, what Bielsa’s done, I’m sure is going to be remembered forever, they’re going to love him forever.”
