Following the reign of Massimo Cellino, Andrea Radrizzani’s time at Leeds United has been anything short of magical, with the club quickly returning to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa and staying there.
They have a bit of work to do to remain in England’s top flight this season, though, and have given that task to Javi Gracia after parting ways with Jesse Marsch soon after the end of the January transfer window.
However, even with Bielsa now gone, the aura left by the Argentine manager never ceases to be present, with many fans longing for either his return or someone else to come in and play similar football.
In fact, that’s what Radrizzani and Victor Orta were looking for after sacking Marsch, but the Leeds chiefs were unable to convince their top targets, such as Arne Slot or Andoni Iraola.
The decision to get rid of Bielsa is one that will live with the Leeds owner for a long time, as he explained in a lengthy interview with DAZN, relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb.
He said: “The most difficult time was with Bielsa, communicating this to him after all he had given, but I realised that psychologically and physically, the team was no longer able to follow him, and he is one of those who asks a lot.
“We were in a whirlwind. I made that decision against my wishes and knowing that I would go against all the Leeds fans, who in fact still hold it against me today. Very difficult, but it was the right thing.”
