Leeds United supporters are campaigning for Marcelo Bielsa to receive the Freedom of the City of Leeds after his successful spell as head coach at Elland Road. Leeds United Supporters Network, which has a membership of more than 7,000 match-goers, wants to see Bielsa recognised for his work on and off the field.
A statement from the organisation said: “Leeds United Supporters Network have called for Marcelo Bielsa to be awarded the Freedom of City of Leeds for his work in not only restoring Leeds United to the Premier League, but also alleviating the spirits and hope of a city in the darkest and most challenging times of the pandemic.
“He achieved this with humility, fairness and compassion in a sport watched by billions across the globe. For the watching world, the City of Leeds has become synonymous with fair play, integrity and entertainment.”
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Clive Miers, the vice-chair of the fans’ group, said: “Too often the Freedom of the City of Leeds has been granted to those that have a mere fleeting connection with the City. In extraordinary times, Marcela Bielsa, a man without hubris, has changed the worldwide perception of the City of Leeds and that of Leeds United beyond recognition, with his compassion, decency, and commitment. We were not only entertained, but we also grew from his inspiration.”
LUSN has written to the city’s Lord Mayor, Coun Asghar Khan, with the request. The message said: “We cannot think of any person, since the turn of the century, that has done more to promote the City of Leeds than Marcelo Bielsa. The world of football, was stunned and somewhat bewildered, when one of the world’s most renowned coaches decided to risk his reputation by managing a club, although steeped in a distinguished history, that was languishing near the bottom of English football's second tier.
“Many notable, and some less so, managers had tried and failed to rejuvenate this so-called sleeping giant. Marcelo Bielsa is more than just a football man, he is a unique human being.
“As the world became vigilant, insular, and scared as the global pandemic swept backwards and forwards across the globe, killing millions in its wake, Bielsa’s Leeds United entertained with unrestricted freedom. In a city where there were many heroes of the pandemic, Bielsa had created an escape for those trapped in their homes and minds.
“It gave Leeds hope the darkness would not last forever. Not only in Leeds, but throughout the world, the public was inspired by Bielsa’s personality and realised there was more than rules, regulations, and procedures.
“Bielsa had already raised the bar of morality when allowing Aston Villa to equalise after Leeds scored when Villa were a man down due to injury. The football world’s governing body, FIFA, recognised this and awarded the club and Bielsa, their oldest accolade, the Fair Play Award in ‘Recognition of exemplary behaviour that promotes the spirit of fair play and compassion in association football around the world’.
“Leeds United showed values to the world which were higher than those that merely brought victory. Bielsa never complained, challenged decisions, or courted publicity in a sport increasingly dominated by rapacity, deception and mendacity.
“Throughout his time at Leeds United, Bielsa demonstrated integrity, justice, and fairness without ever a hint of hubris, not only within football, but throughout the city. By association, these attributes became the mantle of not only the club, but the city too.
“Leeds is epitomised by the virtues of respect, empathy, and compassion in the public eyes. A worldwide audience watched Bielsa and his Leeds United.
“Their style and expression brought a smile to people's faces in a crisis. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was wrong.
“Genius can be respectable. Bielsa raised the City of Leeds up on a pedestal of hope, enjoyment and decency in dismal and worrying times.
“On the footballing stage he succeeded, where so many had failed, in restoring Leeds United to their rightful place in football’s top flight, bringing in visitors from the world over to boost a depleted tourist industry. For all these reasons, Leeds United Supporters Network feel Marcelo Bielsa should be given the Freedom of the City of Leeds.”
