‘Insanity’ – Stephen Warnock defends Leeds for sacking Marcelo Bielsa
Stephen Warnock has defended Leeds over the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, branding his attempts to stave off relegation as ‘insanity’.
Bielsa was sacked on Sunday after a run of poor form saw Leeds drop to within two points of the relegation zone, despite having played two more games than their rivals.
The club faced criticism for the decision from some fans and media members because of Bielsa’s legendary status at Elland Road, but Warnock told Match of the Day 2 that the manager’s stubbornness effectively cost him his job.
“What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results and that’s what it seems to be.
“You’ve got to change the way you’re going to be, you’ve got to adapt. When Jurgen Klopp came into the Premier League they played Gangnam style football, gegenpress, heavy metal football.
“Everyone said he wouldn’t win the Premier League with that style. He changed the style, changed the system, he adapted and that’s what the best managers in the world do. They adapt.
“It was hugely frustrating because we’re all big fans of Marcelo Bielsa, that personality that he’s got. But when you’ve got to dig deep, be resolute, they weren’t. They were far too easy to play against. Far too easy to pass through the middle.
“The man-for-man system, I think it’s become frustrating for the players as well because you see centre-halves go past midfielders and leave gaps. It’s too easy to play against.”
Costly
Injuries have been a huge factor in Leeds’ poor season so far, but what Warnock is saying is also very true.
The club want attacking football that in an ideal world translates to safety and success in the top flight, not dominating the second tier and struggling in the Premier League.
Last season was perfect for them in terms of their lofty aspirations but this season they haven’t got remotely close to that, winning just five games all season.
It became a choice between sticking to the philosophy of the manager irrespective of what happens on the pitch, or trying to make a change to secure the future of the club.
Ultimately, the owners have – rightly – picked the future of the club over the manager at the helm of the team and opted to try and change things.
Bielsa will forever be remembered for the good he did at Elland Road, but it was time for something new.
In other Leeds news, Marcelo Bielsa ‘had to be sacked’ because of big Leeds plans from 49ers – Journalist