Marcelo Bielsa to Leeds United verdict shared as Daniel Farke exit mooted

Marcelo Bielsa to Leeds United verdict emerges as Daniel Farke sack mooted

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

15 Aug 2024, 3:40 pm

Darren Bent would not rule out a Leeds United return for Marcelo Bielsa if Daniel Farke is sacked from his role at Elland Road.

Bielsa was a much-loved figure in West Yorkshire, even more so after taking Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, but was sacked in February 2022 following a string of poor results.

That season turned out to be disastrous for the Whites, finishing in nineteenth with seven wins from 38 matches, but Bent still believes a return to Elland Road is possible for the current Uruguay national team manager.

Speaking live via talkSPORT on Thursday (15 August, 4:09pm), Bent said: "It depends really. There's a love affiliation between him and the fans. Leeds fans said they would rather Bielsa stay and be relegated from the Premier League than stay up.

"That tells you everything you need to know about how much they love him. If Leeds wanted him back, Leeds fans would welcome him back. I think they're on the fence [about Farke]."

Marcelo Bielsa to return as Leeds United manager?

While Leeds fans would certainly welcome Bielsa back with open arms, he looks to be comfortable in his managerial role with the Uruguay national team, having won a bronze medal at the 2023 Copa America.

The Argentine will forever be a beloved figure at Elland Road, but it seems highly unlikely that he would return to West Yorkshire, even if Farke was to be sacked at any point this season.

The German's sacking also looks like an unlikely happening. Football comes hand-in-hand with emotional reactions, and fans have every right to be upset with how the new season has started for Leeds.

Daniel Farke is in his second season as Leeds United manager.

With the Whites aiming for promotion back to the Premier League this season, a 3-3 draw against newly promoted Portsmouth followed by a 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup is far from ideal.

However, Farke was incredibly close to taking Leeds straight back up at the first time of asking last term, and even with the losses of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray, and the soon-to-be-loss of Georginio Rutter [Alex Crook], the belief is still there that he can secure promotion.

In other Leeds United news, a shock Wilfried Gnonto transfer verdict has emerged at Elland Road.

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Leeds United

Marcelo Bielsa

Darren Bent

Daniel Farke