Ex-Leeds United director on his 'crazy idea' to bring Marcelo Bielsa into the Championship — Yorkshire Post 6/11/23
Leeds United’s former director of football Victor Orta has spoken out on his idea to bring Marcelo Bielsa to Elland Road.
By Tom Coates
Bielsa was appointed as Leeds head coach in the summer of
2018, sending shockwaves through English football.
He arrived with impressive pedigree and glowing reputations
from some of the game’s most high-profile managers.
The decision to recruit the Argentine paid off, as Leeds
secured a long-awaited return to the Premier League on his watch.
As reported by Mail Online, Orta has discussed the “crazy
idea” he had to hire Bielsa.
He said: “People said I was crazy to bring Bielsa to the
Championship. But my crazy idea got results.”
Bielsa was axed in February 2022, with a heavy defeat to
Tottenham Hotspur proving to be the straw the broke the camel’s back.
He has since returned to management with Uruguay and
recently led the country to a shock win over Brazil.
Orta now works for Spanish outfit Sevilla, who have
appointed the man Bielsa succeed as Uruguay boss, Diego Alonso.
Bielsa is still spoken of fondly by Orta, who has claimed
his former colleague “raises your level”.
He said: “He raises your level. And I want people around me
to do that.
"He is someone who is going to make you give your best
and that works also with the players, and the groundsman, and the chief
executive and the chef. It's a big challenge but it's what I prefer.”