Uruguayan international hails ‘spectacular’ Marcelo Bielsa after Leeds United links
Uruguay international Nahitan Nandez has revealed that Leeds United attempted to sign him under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.
Speaking to Sport890 (21 September), the midfielder admitted that Bielsa is a “spectacular” manager after his move to Leeds failed to come to fruition.
Bielsa managed Leeds for nearly four years before leaving in February 2022 but now manages the Cagliari man in the Uruguay national side.
Nahitan said, as quoted by Leeds Live: “Years ago, one of the possibilities was to go to Leeds, the team where Bielsa managed. He is a spectacular professional. He goes game by game depending how the team works.”
Possibilities
Leeds find themselves in a much different place now than when Bielsa was last in charge, but Nahitan’s comments shed light on what could have been at Elland Road.
Nahitan has been a regular for Cagliari in Serie A for the past three seasons and helped them back to the top flight last season after their relegation to Serie B.
The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to Yorkshire in January 2022, but if he had made the move, he may have only had a few weeks to work under the “spectacular” Bielsa.
The Argentine was sacked just four days after the January window shut, but their paths finally crossed now that Bielsa managed Uruguay.
With his potential move to the Whites, Nahitan was tipped to earn plenty of first-team action, but the deal failed to come to fruition.
His versatility made him an ideal candidate to join the Leeds United squad at that time, especially considering the squad’s limited midfield options during the winter.
However, fans must not reminisce on the possibility of signing the international, but the club could be different if the Uruguayan made the move to Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, A Patrick Bamford emergency may now be in place at Leeds United after an injury update.