The Changing of the Guard
LEEDS UNITED 3-0 CHELSEA
It may have been 20 years since Leeds last beat Chelsea, but in the Premier League era our old foes have often brought the best out of Leeds United and landmark results have been enjoyed by every new manager (bar Peter Reid, who never faced them). Two of the 28 goals from George Graham’s first season came in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in front of a raucous Elland Road (Ian Rush even scored!) and a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge showed the world that O’Leary’s Babies were ready to challenge for all the top honours. Terry Venables’s very terrible reign peaked with a James Milner-inspired victory over Chelsea that gave false hope of the good times remaining, and the following season Eddie Gray’s team kick-started their survival bid in a top vs bottom clash where Chelsea were fortunate to escape Cauldron Elland Road with a 1-1 draw. For Marcelo Bielsa there were no fans to help his team, but a 0-0 draw with the eventual Champions of Europe dispelled the claims that his tactics were suicidal against the elite and sparked a sensational end-of-season run.
United were underdogs in each of the above fixtures, needing all eleven players to sweat blood for 90 minutes and produce their best displays of the season to secure results that indicated a changing of the guard. Sunday’s phenomenal performance was no different and heralded a new beginning at Elland Road.
It has been a whirlwind six months for Jesse Marsch. Taking over a struggling team is par for the course in the world of management but Marsch wasn’t just facing a relegation battle, he also faced the monumental challenge of winning over a heart-broken fanbase, a challenge so great that keeping their team in the top-flight with the last kick of the season didn’t even do the trick. He wasn’t just replacing a successful manager either. He was replacing the manager that delivered Leeds United from 16 years in the wilderness, in ground-breaking, breath-taking style. He was replacing a manager whose standing in the history of Leeds United and world football is secured; a world-class, revolutionary coach who is revered across the globe. Moreover, Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t just a beloved manager. His wisdom, values and integrity stood against everything that modern football has become. He was a beacon of light, a god-like figure leading our club.
“Marsch wasn’t just facing a relegation battle, he also faced the monumental challenge of winning over a heart-broken fanbase”
The Christians still bang on about Jesus of Nazereth over 2,000 years since his crucifixion. They were presented with a new American saviour in the form of Joseph Smith and his Book of Mormon, and while some people got on board the vast majority would never accept his teachings. Similarities could be drawn at Elland Road. Jesse Marsch probably didn’t help himself last season. He showed his best qualities in his opening press conference; he was concise and convincing, passionate and proud, and seemed to have a clear understanding of how to take Leeds United forward. But then he tried too hard. The huddle post-Leicester, the horror-show against Villa, bad-mouthing of The Great Man’s training methods, celebrating 4-0 defeats like victories. Then there was the football. It was chaotic, clueless at times, and the players seemed to be losing belief with every new motivational quote thrown at them. But he got the job done, earning himself the good-will of everybody, if not the acceptance. For some, acceptance could only come when he delivered a winning team on the pitch.
Different by Design - Packed out Elland Road to witness Leeds beast Chelsea 3 - 0.
Through the summer my doubts remained, but after Chelsea I can see the light. Leeds United are still everything I want them to be: a riotous, in-your-face, no-fucks-given team that is different by design. I’ve had a season ticket in every season since the whole new ball game was launched in 1992, and I can’t think of a Premier League game I’ve enjoyed more than Sunday. Chelsea were pulverised. Their pampered players and moaning manager were hit with bricks and left Elland Road tattered and torn. The atmosphere was louder than I can ever remember and waving Koulibaly down the tunnel was just as enjoyable as the three wonderful goals. Chelsea had capitulated, it was written all over Thomas Tuchel’s face in his MOTD2 interview. He could barely speak let alone look into the camera. Leeds United had ripped out his soul. And this was Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United. Not a single player that started the famous Stoke City match started against Chelsea. Of the 18-man squad that day, only Harrison and Klich featured in the 20-man squad against Chelsea.
“Leeds United are still everything I want them to be: a riotous, in-your-face, no-fucks-given team that is different by design”
To those who think yearning for Bielsa meant you wanted Marsch to fail, let me tell you the exact opposite is true. We needed Jesse to succeed to finally smile because the Bielsa era happened, and after Chelsea there should be no more looking back in anger. Our status in the Premier League was made possible thanks to one man, but our future now lies in the hands of another, and it can be beautiful.
Rocco Dean - Author of Marcelo Bielsa vs The Damned United, The O’Leary Years, and League One Leeds (order on Amazon)