On this day seven years ago, Marcelo Bielsa began his legendary Leeds United era with a historic 3-1 win v Stoke 

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Seven years ago today, the Marcelo Bielsa era at Leeds United began with a statement win that sent shockwaves through the Championship.

On August 5, 2018, the Whites, under their new Argentine manager, delivered a stunning 3-1 victory over promotion favourites Stoke City.

This was no ordinary win; it was a thrilling showcase of the high-pressing, relentless football that would come to define Bielsa’s transformative era.

Before his departure, Bielsa led Leeds in 170 games, securing 81 victories and ending the club’s 16-year absence from the Premier League by winning the Championship.

He then guided them to a remarkable ninth-place finish in the top flight. But before the promotion and the accolades, it was that perfect debut against Stoke that set the tone, proving that a revolution had truly arrived at Elland Road.

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Leeds stunned Stoke as Marcelo Bielsa era kicked off with a bang

Exactly seven years ago today, Leeds United fans got their first taste of what was to come, as Marcelo Bielsa’s reign began with a stunning 3-1 victory over promotion favourites Stoke City.

The performance at Elland Road on August 5th, 2018, was a statement of intent. In a display of high-pressing and incisive passing that would become Bielsa’s trademark, Leeds deservedly took the lead through Mateusz Klich.

Pablo Hernandez doubled the advantage just before the break, his shot flying under the Stoke keeper. Despite a second-half penalty for Stoke, Leeds quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback when captain Liam Cooper headed home from a Barry Douglas corner, capping a magnificent team performance.

The victory was the perfect start to a new era at Elland Road, one that would see the club transformed and, ultimately, return to the Premier League. Today, on the seventh anniversary, it’s a moment of pure nostalgia for fans, a reminder of the day everything changed.

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Gary Rowett attempted to get into Leeds’ heads beforehand

Leeds fans have also been remembering with glee a classic case of comments coming back to haunt someone before this momentous game.

At an EFL launch event ahead of this particular season, Stoke City manager at the time Gary Rowett was on a panel with a number of players and supporters. When Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips, was asked about the opening day fixture against Stoke, he confidently predicted a win for the Whites.

A grinning Rowett was quick to interject, firing back, “He obviously hasn’t seen the bookmakers odds, has he?”

And of course, Rowett and the bookmakers were proven spectacularly wrong and enjoyed reminding him of his words.