From thriving to barely surviving as Leeds’ shelf life expired - where it went wrong for Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United have sacked head coach Marcelo Bielsa after three-and-a-half years in charge at Elland Road, ending what has been one of the most enjoyable managerial reigns in the club’s recent history.

The Argentine manager took the Yorkshire club back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years last season, and in doing so deployed a style of football that few could match or rival for sheer entertainment and energy.

But a series of factors this season has resulted in the club sliding down the table, and Bielsa leaves with Leeds just two points above safety, sitting precariously in 16th with only Everton, Burnley, Watford and Norwich City beneath them.

Here, we look at the key reasons why Bielsa’s way unravelled so quickly this season.

This is not a dig at the attitude, commitment or desire of Leeds United’s players. At no time this season can you find any evidence to suggest they no longer want to play for Bielsa or have stopped doing the things he demands from them. There has been no drop in professional standards despite the dramatic slump in form. The effort has remained high, but the quality has been lost.

Leeds have simply lost the spine of their team, with arguably their three most important players injured for a prolonged period. 

It is the sort of injury nightmare every manager dreads and as hard as they have tried to play on regardless, the club’s two England internationals, midfield lynchpin, Kalvin Phillips, last season’s top goalscorer, Patrick Bamford, and centre back - and captain - Liam Cooper, are the core of the side that did so well on their return to the Premier League last season.

Bamford scored 17 goals for Leeds last season, but has only managed two in just seven games because of a