Marcelo Bielsa: "Maradona was an artist" 1:33
(Reuters) -
Leeds United sacked Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday after their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur left the club hovering around the relegation zone of the English Premier League.
Bielsa, appointed in 2018, returned Leeds to the top flight for the first time in 16 years and last season they finished ninth.
However, the loss to Spurs was their fourth in a row and in those games they conceded 17 goals, leaving them in 16th place, two points above the relegation zone.
"This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, considering all the success Marcelo had at the club," Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani said.
Two champions with Vélez, in 1998, remember what Marcelo Bielsa was like
Bielsa became a very popular figure at Leeds after ending his years away from the Premier League and returning them to the top flight with entertaining, attacking football.
advertising
"He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to all of us. The moments created, in particular in the 2019/20 season and gaining promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in the memory of all of us, I and the fans included," Radrizzani said.
"However, I have to act in the best interests of the club and I believe a change is required now to ensure our permanence in the Premier League. Recent results and performances have not lived up to our expectations."
Leeds said they had plans for a "permanent tribute" to Bielsa at their Elland Road stadium.
They plan to make an announcement about Bielsa's replacement on Monday.
Soccer Marcelo Bielsa
