Leeds stars lead emotional tributes to ‘club legend’ Marcelo Bielsa after the Argentine is sacked

Leeds players past and present have paid homage to Marcelo Bielsa, who was sacked by the club on Sunday. 

Bielsa was relieved of his duties after a poor run of form culminating in just one point from the last 18 on offer and with the club only two points above the Premier League relegation zone. 

But stars including captain Liam Cooper and striker Patrick Bamford offered emotional tributes on social media to the Argentine in the wake of his departure. 

Club captain Liam Cooper (above right) described the Argentine, 66, as a ‘legend of our era’

Cooper tweeted: ‘You united a club, a city & a team going nowhere. I will be forever grateful for everything you and your staff did for me and my family. A club legend of our era. Gracias Marcelo,’ followed by a white heart.

Bamford posted on Instagram with the caption: ‘Thank you. The man who changed everything for everyone’.

Defender Pascal Struijk added: ‘Thank you for everything Marcelo, in these past 4 years you’ve helped me grow into the player I am now. You have taught me so much and I will cherish that forever’.

Team-mates Junior Firpo, Robin Koch and Mateusz Klich all continued the praise for Bielsa, 66, with former Whites striker Jermaine Beckford also taking to social media to reveal his thoughts online. 

Firpo said: ‘It’s been an honor working with you and all your staff. A real club legend. Thank you,’ with Koch tweeting: ‘Gracias Marcelo. Glad I could work with you and learn from you.’

Klich simply posted: ‘Thank You Marcelo for everything,’ while Beckford said: ‘What a man. He has changed so many lives for the better and has created an incredible culture at the club again. Forever grateful Mr Bielsa #MOT’.