‘Enjoy every minute’ – BBC journo warns about incoming Bielsa issue as Leeds promoted
BBC journalist Adam Pope has said that Leeds United is “ready to explode” now that they’ve been promoted.
However, he did have a word of warning about manager Marcelo Bielsa.
He said that Bielsa doesn’t like questions “looking for a divisive response” and warned that this was likely to be commonplace in the Premier League for Leeds.
He said Leeds fans should “enjoy every minute” Bielsa is at the club and that it’s always in the back of his mind that he could leave at any point.
Talking to OTBSports Pope said, “Leeds United is ready to explode.
“With all the swagger, all the ‘Nobody likes us, we don’t care’ attitude… let’s face it, the others might not like them but they do want them there.”
Talking about Bielsa, Pope said, “What he doesn’t like are questions that come looking for a divisive response. He doesn’t like these contentious, abrasive angles.
“That is probably going to come a lot more in the Premier League and given that it is Leeds United, however.
“So, we have to enjoy every minute he is here because I’ll be honest, it is always in the back of my mind. I mean, he left Lazio after only a few days.”
When Bielsa arrived there were many people who predicted that he wouldn’t last long at Leeds.
He’s confounded those expectations already and is already two years into the job.
All the signs are that he’s going to stay for at least another season now Leeds have been promoted but the Premier League will pour a lot more focus his way.
Bielsa is a football man. He doesn’t particularly enjoy his media duties and comes across quite awkwardly in press conferences.
He controls these well but Pope is right to point out that the Premier League comes with even more scrutiny and a keener media spotlight.
There are also “divisive” angles that will be explored by people who still don’t like Leeds.
We think it’s going to be an interesting ride and we don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t think the Premier League will be richer for having Bielsa in it.
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