Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer react to Leeds United exit speculation for Marcelo Bielsa
Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams feel Marcelo Bielsa only has himself to blame if he’s sacked by Leeds United.
Leeds’ 4-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday leaves them with the worst defensive record in the Premier League and also just two points clear of the relegation zone.
TalkSPORT reported at 9:50pm on 26 February that Bielsa has left his role as manager at Elland Road after reaching a mutual agreement with the Yorkshire club.
Shearer has slammed the Argentine’s tactics amid the Whites’ current slump.
Speaking on Match of the Day on BBC One on Saturday night [26 February], Shearer said: “I know Leeds have had big injuries this season and it’s cost them dearly. But when it’s not working, and it’s not working at all, surely you have to look at doing something different.
“If he does lose his job, then that is one of the reasons why.”
Williams’ verdict on Bielsa’s downfall was far harsher.
The ex-Wales defender said: “It’s stubborn to keep doing the same thing week in, week out, conceding goals and not changing anything.
“I think it’s a little bit arrogant of him to think he can go one-v-one against these quality opponents that he does.
“I just can’t see where they’re going to go from it. [It’s the] same tactics week in, week out – same end result.”
Gary Lineker then rounded off William’s analysis by saying: “In trouble.”
Harsh
Is Bielsa arrogant? Or does he just have faith in a system that in the last few years seen him turn a mid-table Championship club into a top-half Premier League side?
Bielsa has made mistakes, don’t get us wrong.
Why he signed no one in January is unbelievable and yes, he should have set his team up to play differently against top sides when he doesn’t have Kalvin Phillips sitting in his midfield.
However, Bielsa’s just gone with what he knows and what he knows is to attack, attack, attack and really put your opponents under pressure.
It’s worked for the Whites before so why wouldn’t it work again?
In hindsight, it was obviously wrong for Bielsa to do that in the last week against Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane are among the best attacking players in the world. We’re sure they’d be able to cope with a press from Pascal Struijk.
If Bielsa does leave Leeds, then the majority of the blame should really lie at his feet but why has Victor Orta been so scared to overrule Bielsa in the transfer market? Why not say to him, “no, we’re signing this player whether you like it or not.”?
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared what he knows of the situation regarding Bielsa.