Following a 5-1 hammering against Mauricio Pochettino’s USA, there is growing chatter that Leeds United icon Marcelo Bielsa could either be sacked or resign from his post as Uruguay manager.
Reports emerged in Uruguay on Wednesday evening that the AUF, Uruguay’s football governing body, is considering whether to relieve Bielsa of his duties. It comes after watching Uruguay suffer a 5-1 loss.
A meeting has been held to discuss Bielsa’s future after a disappointing international break that also saw Uruguay draw 0-0 with a struggling Mexico. Just five wins in the last 18, and no goals in 10 of those.
Leeds United legend Marcelo Bielsa could be on the market after the World Cup. Is the time right for him to come back to Elland Road?
With the World Cup just eight months away, the AUF is considering whether to sack Bielsa. At the same time, Bielsa has now called a press conference to speak to reporters, which will take place at 11pm (BST).
Amid all the noise, Leeds United fans have been discussing whether the club should consider bringing Bielsa back to Elland Road if Bielsa does become available. Especially, with Daniel Farke’s future in doubt.
Leeds fans discuss possible return for Marcelo Bielsa
Bielsa left Leeds in February 2022 after three and a half years in the job. Leeds remains the job in which he has managed the most games, more than Bilbao. He has since managed 34 games since joining Uruguay.
Andrea Radrizzani recently admitted he should never have sacked Bielsa, replacing him with Jesse Marsch. Leeds are still repairing the damage caused by Marsch’s tenure, having only just returned to the top tier.
Upon hearing the news that Bielsa could soon be out of work, Leeds fans inevitably discussed whether they would have Bielsa back in the dugout if The 49ers sack Farke. Surprisingly, the reaction is mixed.
There are plenty of Leeds fans who would be all for Bielsa’s return. One posted an image of Bielsa and said “let’s run it back”, while another said Farke has “done nothing, compared to El Loco”.
Another reckons that if Leeds fans start singing Bielsa’s name on Sunday during the clash against Aston Villa, then “Farke is finished”. While some want him back at Elland Road, some don’t want a reunion.
One supporter was unequivocal in his message: “Bielsa can’t come back, nor would he”, going on to say he needs to “preserve his God status”. Another reminded fans that “teams worked out how to beat us”.
How close is Daniel Farke to being sacked at Leeds United?
As things stand, the noises out of Elland Road are that Farke is being entrusted to continue his aim of keeping Leeds in the Premier League. LeedsUnited.News understands he will get until January, at least.
That is, of course, something untoward happens. However, Graham Smyth thinks Farke needs to get a win against Aston Villa on Sunday to alleviate the pressure with Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool up next.
There is every chance that defeat against Villa, if bad enough, could cause the Elland Road crowd to turn toxic and result in The 49ers seeing no other alternative but to remove Farke. But he remains in the job.
However, Farke’s comments in the public domain this week have not gone down well. His description of the fanbase being emotional and a defeat being the end of the world has not been well-received by fans.
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