Steven Gerrard hails Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa ‘world class’
Steven Gerrard has called Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa “world class” ahead of the Whites’ Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Leeds travel to Villa Park on Wednesday (February 9) with a win potentially lifting Bielsa’s team up to 12th place in the table – well clear of relegation.
The pair have never met as managers with Gerrard admitting he would ‘love’ to get inside the Argentine’s tactically brilliant mind.
“I’ve only focussed on Leeds over the last few weeks as I was in Scotland up until November, but from the outside I’ve always enjoyed watching Leeds. I think they’re a very exciting team.” Gerrard said in his pre-Leeds United press conference.
“They take it to every opponent, and they’ve got a world class manager who’s done a phenomenal job from where he took over to where he’s got them to now.
He added “I’d love to get inside his mind and know a lot more.
“The Leeds players are living the dream to have the opportunity to play and compete in his style. Maybe that won’t be appreciated until he’s gone, but he’s certainly someone that all the coaches here have got immense respect for.
“To go and compete against him tomorrow is certainly something I’m very much looking forward to.”
Redemption
These are the types of games Leeds have to be winning from now until the end of the season.
This season has been completely bizarre with the Whites struggling to keep most of their senior players fit and firing which has affected the teams form leaving them in a relegation scrap.
The team’s form can’t be solely blamed on the uncontrollable factors, there have been results this season that simply aren’t good enough and the players and manager must take responsibility – Newcastle at home being one of them.
It would be a huge shock if Leeds faced a real relegation threat come the end of the season with key men returning to the squad but that is no excuse to take the foot off the gas.
Leeds would love to be sitting comfortably fighting for a top half finish like Gerrard’s Villa side are and that is something that Bielsa can use to motivate these players week in week out.
The club needs to get themselves back where they belong, starting with a win at Villa Park.
In other Whites news, Daniel James shares ‘second to none’ Leeds United training truth.