As news of Marcelo Bielsa’s sacking slowly sinks in for Leeds United fans around the world, they are left to reflect on the final glimpses they may have had of him.
If you were lucky enough to be at Elland Road on Saturday for his final match in charge you will strain your memory for the last thing you saw him do, or the last bark he made onto the field of play.
There were no airs, graces or pauses for contemplation as Bielsa marched for the tunnel at full-time, no hint of taking in the stadium one last time.
There was at least one moment of recognition for the support before the match though. In a game which saw his side run ragged, there was not much for Bielsa to connect with the fans over, but for those who saw it there was one special touch pre-match.
There was pointed applause and chanting of Bielsa’s name on all sides of the stadium as he came out to take his place on the touchline before the game.
In what has been another rough week in his tenure, the Elland Road faithful wanted him to know he had their support.
In a brief flash, he gave the most muted of raised palms to the Norman Hunter Stand to acknowledge their vocal backing of him.
If you blinked you would have missed it. As it stands, that could be the last gesture Bielsa shares with the United fan base with his stewardship now over.
For a man so private away from press conferences and matches, it would be out of character to see any public displays before he returns to his native Argentina.
