‘Phenomenal’ – Danny Mills lauds ‘tremendous’ Leeds man, makes comparison to Liverpool kingpin
Danny Mills has claimed that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa deserves to be compared to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for what he has achieved at Elland Road.
The Whites wrapped up promotion to the Premier League after a 16-year absence on Friday evening when West Brom dropped points to Huddersfield Town, sparking widespread celebrations across the city and causing congratulations to pour in from across the footballing world.
And Mills believes that Bielsa deserves a huge amount of credit for the work he has done in Yorkshire since his arrival in 2018.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Leeds defender said: “Bringing Bielsa in was a big gamble.
“It was an expensive gamble for what it was, and no-one quite knew which way it was going to go. Everybody hoped that he would do what he’s done, but he’s been tremendous.
“To take a team from 13th in the table, effectively the same group of players with a few loanees, no big signings coming in, to be on 87 points with two games to go and promotion assured – it’s simply phenomenal.
“Everyone lauds Jurgen Klopp, and how good he’s been over the last four or five seasons. I think Bielsa’s achievements, and where he’s taken the club from to where he’s taken them to, are not far off that.”
Some people will argue that there is a big difference between winning a Champions League and escaping from the Championship, but the job Bielsa has done at Leeds must not be underestimated.
This was a club without hope, both on the field and in the stands, but he has brought a newfound unity and faith to Elland Road.
In terms of his points per game, Bielsa’s record of 1.83 lags behind Klopp’s 2.05 at Liverpool somewhat, but forget that stats and the numbers, the only thing that matters is that we are back in the Premier League.
Build that man a statue.
In other Leeds United news, What a raging Bielsa barked at Leeds staff before bringing Pablo Hernandez off v Barnsley.