Firstly, it must be said that the TalkSPORT host did deny any chance of Celtic being able to poach Marcelo Bielsa from Leeds. However, the ex-Celtic player has stated that his first choice to replace Neil Lennon – who resigned as Hoops manager on Wednesday morning – would be the Argentine currently earning legendary reputation in the Elland Road dugout.
Of course, it is a compliment in may respects. Bielsa has starred as Leeds manager, taking what is largely a mediocre Championship side into tenth place in the Premier League in less than three years. Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison, Mateusz Klich and of course, Kalvin Phillips have all seen their careers dramatically change.
Bielsa has earned the adulation of pundits and fans alike for his style of play at Elland Road. His playing out from the back, attacking style that includes constant work rate and clever patterns of play has been enormously praised. For pundits to suggest they want the Leeds manager at their club – Brazil, of course, a Celtic fan – is complimentary.
Lennon resigned, which was confirmed on Wednesday morning. The defeat to Ross County proved the final nail in the coffin over the weekend, a loss that saw Rangers go 18 clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with Celtic’s pursuit of 10 in a row in tatters. Celtic have been linked with Eddie Howe, Frank Lampard and more, but Brazil wants Bielsa.
“You know who I would love to come in? It’s not going to happen, for me it’s the Celtic way… Bielsa,” Brazil told TalkSPORT on Thursday morning, as quoted by the radio station’s website. “I’d love someone like him to come up there and get them buzzing, playing free-flowing football, chasing every ball and harrying, but that’s not going to happen.”
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But as much as it is a compliment to Leeds and Bielsa, there is no chance of it happening – as Brazil states himself. Though Bielsa is out of contract in the summer, he only just said in his recent press conference that he is not considering a move. Leeds fans will know that the former Bilbao boss only works on a year-to-year contract, which he reviews every summer.
So, while there is no danger of Bielsa leaving Leeds, Brazil’s suggestion of the South American genius should be viewed as a compliment by Leeds fans – rather than supporters questioning why the TalkSPORT presenter would suggest that Celtic go for him. Who do Celtic go for? Well, Howe looks to be many supporters’s preference on social media, and it would make sense.
