Former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges believes there may have been an element of ‘relief’ among the players when Marcelo Bielsa was sacked. The Argentine was relieved of his duties after an intense, yet highly successful three-and-a-half-year reign at Elland Road.
Bielsa has been renowned during his time in management for working his players to their maximum, both during matches and in training, too. Members of the Leeds squad would often reference his infamous session ‘murderball’ as more intense than a 90-minute game on the weekend.
However, while fitness levels in the squad were arguably the best across the country, Leeds had become ravaged by injury problems this season – losing the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford to long-term injuries in recent months.
