The animosity between Frank Lampard and Leeds United legend Marcelo Bielsa was clear after the Spygate scandal, but Lampard says from his first impressions, it was very clear they were different.
Leeds were in fact Lampard‘s second-ever game in management, the second match of Derby’s 2018-19 season. Leeds went to Derby under Marcelo Bielsa and smashed Lampard’s men 4-1, away from home.
Mateusz Klich, Gjanni Alioski and a Kemar Roofe brace saw Leeds start the season in style after a 3-1 win over Stoke on the opening day. Much was to come between the two, including play-off semi-finals.
Lampard spoke to JOE this week and recalled meeting Bielsa for the first time. He was asked about his first impressions of the then-Leeds, and now-Uruguay manager – and he said he was clearly different.
“Unique. We played them at home, my second game, they beat us comfortably. He came in the office, he was fine, but he didn’t speak an English,” Lampard recalled, after that heavy loss on August 4, 2018.
“Different, different to me anyway. Had no problems with him, I respected his quirkiness. Very intelligent even if he couldn’t speak English. Complete respect for him,” the Chelsea legend continued, on Bielsa.
Frank Lampard on first impressions of Leeds icon Marcelo Bielsa
Lampard of course, got Derby to the final with a side that comprised of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson – only to lose to Aston Villa. Leeds’ thin, academy-filled squad had to wait till next year.
Bielsa remains an icon at Elland Road and when the Argentine does revisit the Yorkshire club, it will be a momentous day. Daniel Farke is not far away from encapsulating Bielsa’s incredible second Leeds year.
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