Leeds United legend Eddie Gray has claimed it was the right decision for the Whites to part company with Marcelo Bielsa. After nearly four full seasons at the helm, Bielsa's reign was ended in February after a run of four consecutive league defeats.
He quickly captured the imagination of the Elland Road faithful after his appointment and his exit divided a fanbase which adored the Argentine for his achievements at the club and his unique style of management. However, former Leeds winger and manager Gray has thrown his support behind the decision to part ways with the former Argentina boss.
Speaking to Sportsmail, he said: "The club did the right thing. You couldn't see the run of defeats coming to an end. Marcelo never really showed any emotion. I never saw him pat a player on the back when he was substituted. That's just how he was and he was successful with it. The players responded to him.
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"But when you are struggling and you don't have that personal affinity with the players, it becomes difficult. When things start going wrong, you need an arm around you and that wasn't his nature."
Bielsa has since been replaced by Jesse Marsch, an American coach who has developed his reputation working within the Red Bull network of clubs. Gray has seen plenty of managers and head coaches come and go at Elland Road but he has been impressed by Marsch in the early stages of his tenure.
He said: "So far Jesse has done very well. If you come in and communicate with the players, you get their respect and everything runs smoothly. Don was like that.
"Jesse is a completely different type of personality to Marcelo but he shows the type of passion and enthusiasm that Leeds fans like. He's bought into the club. I met him at a fundraiser at Elland Road and he really appreciates the opportunity and realises what it means to the people of Leeds for the club to be in the Premier League."
The post-Bielsa era is now underway and for the sake of the club's Premier League status, wounds have had to be licked quickly. However, it is hard to imagine the 66-year-old's achievements ever being forgotten in West Yorkshire.
Gray said: "I don't think any Leeds United fan - me included - will ever forget what he did for the club. His legacy will last a long time. He brought us out of the doldrums and the club can't thank him enough."
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