Phil Hay: Bielsa came at Leeds players on Monday morning with encouragement
Leeds United put in arguably their most disappointing performance of the season so far against Southampton last Saturday, suffering a 1-0 loss.
The Saints covered more distance than Marcelo Bielsa’s men over 90 minutes, beating them in the running stats – something no Premier League team has done before under the Argentine.
Nevertheless, while the Leeds head coach was disappointed with what he saw, he reacted differently at Thorp Arch on Monday morning.
Writing on The Athletic website, journalist Phil Hay revealed: “He came at them on Monday morning with encouragement instead of anger; with hope and faith before disappointment.”
Incredible
Some managers would have been fuming and ready to rip into the players after such a pitiful performance like the one witnessed at St. Mary’s.
However, that is not Bielsa’s style, and it goes to show how incredible this veteran manager is.
He did not see the need to get angry and blame his boys for not delivering, and that will definitely go a long way in helping this team remain reunited and attempt to fight back when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Elland Road on Saturday.
Back in their last season in the Championship, Leeds suffered a similar defeat to Nottingham Forest, and rather than get mad, he sat his players down and addressed them directly, telling them how good they were, how good they had been and how good they could be.
Such moments separate the Whites boss from the others, which is why he is never at risk of losing his dressing room.
He knows exactly how to react to every situation, and Leeds remain in good hands despite their woeful start to 2021-22.
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT host has blasted a Whites ace in an on-air rant, insisting he is not Premier League standard.