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Marcelo Bielsa leaves Leeds United after series of poor results as struggling Premier League club target Jesse Marsch as Argentine’s replacement
Marcelo Bielsa has left his role as Leeds United manager, the club confirmed on Sunday.
The popular Argentine coach, 66, mutually agreed to depart Elland Road following Saturday's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham.
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Leeds have conceded 60 goals in their 26 games this season, the most in the division, and have picked up just a single point from their last six games.
The 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at home on Saturday afternoon proved to be the last straw for Bielsa, who saw his side ship six to Liverpool and four to Manchester United in the two games prior.
The club sit in 16th in the Premier League table, two points clear of the relegation zone, though Burnley and Everton both have two games in hand over them.
Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said: “This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club.
“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included.
“However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.
“We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.
“Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future.”
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The club said they plan to have a permanent tribute to Bielsa at Elland Road.
Leeds now have to appoint a manager for the first time since 2018.
In the statement of Bielsa's departure, the club said they aim to make an announcement of a new appointment on Monday.
talkSPORT understands that they have identified former RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch as their top target.
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The American coach, 48, Marsch, is available having left Bundesliga side Leipzig in December after just five months in charge.
He had previously enjoyed success at Red Bull Salzburg, winning two league titles and two domestic cups with the Austrian club.
For Leeds fans though, it is a sad end to a fairytale period under Bielsa, whose iconic status is assured after four memorable years in West Yorkshire.
After a 16-year exile from the top-flight, he was the man to bring the Whites back into the big time with promotion to the Premier League secured in 2020.
They thrived back in the Premier League, gaining a reputation as one of the most entertaining teams in the 2020/21 season as they finished ninth and claimed some major scalps along the way.
They took four points off Manchester City, who would go on to become champions, beat Tottenham at Elland Road and earned draws against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
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This season, though, things have been very different and Bielsa has been unable to turn the tide.
He has been hampered by injuries to key men, including Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford, but Leeds' form has been woeful.
They have shipped goals at an alarming rate and the latest crushing defeat to Tottenham means they are in real danger of relegation back to the Championship.
Now the board and Bielsa have mutally decided to part ways.
Bielsa will always hold a special place in Leeds fans' hearts for what he has done for the club.
Former defender Danny Mills says the Argentine will be a hero, despite his exit.
He told talkSPORT: “He will be hero worshipped for what he did for the club, and rightly so. He was absolutely outstanding.
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“But results, and performances, and the way they are playing at the moment - they are heading in one direction.
“Yes, he will always be a hero for getting them promoted, but you can’t take them down and get beaten by four, five, six and sevens every week.”
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