Richard Keys pleased with himself after Leeds United sack Marcelo Bielsa
One man was very satisfied to hear the news that Leeds United had sacked Marcelo Bielsa as Richard Keys quickly moved to congratulate himself.
The Argentine was removed after the latest heavy defeat, 4-0 at home to Tottenham, left the club in serious relegation danger, only two points above the bottom three and having played more games than those below them.
Despite the form, many fans are devastated to see the 66-year-old leave, but that did not spread to beIN Sports presenter Keys who could not help portraying what The Mirror called “his smugness” upon hearing the news.
He had written on his personal Twitter account on Saturday afternoon, as the Whites were soundly beaten by Spurs: “This is unsustainable for Leeds.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bielsa sacked tonight. They’re going down if they don’t do something.”
He then quickly followed that up on Sunday morning as the news of the sacking broke, Tweeting to say: “Looks like I did know what I was talking about after all….”
Well done Richard
It was hardly the most insightful prediction that the team’s form could lead to the manager leaving.
Many assumed that the affection in which Bielsa was held at Elland Road would give him until the end of the season, but it was not a universal view.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein had Tweeted only minutes after Keys’ original message a link to his story in conjunction with Phil Hay, that a change had become likely after the 6-0 thrashing at Liverpool in midweek.
And it isn’t a great look to be leaping to promote yourself when somebody who didn’t actually affect you has lost their job.
Keys, a long-time promoter of British managers over foreign imports, was quickly advocating Sam Allardyce as a replacement, so the whole episode was true to form.
The former Sky Sports host’s views on a lot of things are pretty outdated, considering the “prehistoric banter” (talkSPORT via Guardian) that caused him to leave the British broadcaster in 2011.
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa reportedly had to be sacked because of 49ers plans.