Marcelo Bielsa addressed the Leeds United squad this morning after Sunday’s sacking.
The Daily Mail says the 66-year old gathered the squad together at around 9.15am to bid farewell after his sacking on Sunday.
He wanted to talk to them as a group rather than on a more emotionally-charged individual basis.
Despite strain telling on some relationships after a draining run of results, Bielsa is still viewed with huge respect within the dressing room for the work he has done and the coaching he has imbued in his players.
He is due to head back to Argentina after saying his farewells and will be replaced by 48-year old American Jesse Marsch once his work permit is cleared.
Bielsa departs after a poor run of form, with just one point gained from the last 18 on offer, and with the side in 16th, two points above the Premier League relegation zone and in serious danger of going down.
His 140-match tenure marks him as the second-longest serving manager, behind Simon Grayson (169), since David O’Leary’s stint at the turn of the millennium.
Moreover, his record of 74 wins, 24 draws and 42 losses leaves him with a win percentage of 52.86 – the second-highest in history among Leeds managers with more than five games – narrowly behind legendary figure Don Revie (53.24).
