Gary Neville reacts to Leeds sacking Marcelo Bielsa as head coach

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Gary Neville has told Sky Sports that he does feel sad that Leeds United have parted company with Marcelo Bielsa, but suggested that it was the right decision based on the form they were in.

Leeds announced on Sunday that Bielsa has left Elland Road after nearly four years at the helm. It comes with the Whites sliding closer to the relegation zone in the Premier League.

On paper, it is little surprise that Bielsa was in bother. Leeds had lost four of their last five, conceding 20 goals in the process. In his final two games, Leeds lost 6-0 to Liverpool and 4-0 to a Tottenham side who seemed to be in some disarray themselves beforehand.

However, it says everything about how loved Bielsa is at Elland Road that even when Leeds were 4-2 down against their most hated rivals, the fans continued to sing his name. And the atmosphere inside the ground on Saturday was remarkable given that Leeds were 3-0 down inside half an hour.

Bielsa leaves as one of the greatest managers in Leeds’ history. So it is no surprise that many of the supporters had no interest in seeing him sacked and implored the board to stick by him.

‘There is some sadness’

Many of the players have already taken to social media to express their disappointment about his departure and gratitude for what he did for them.

But for many outsiders, it would appear the right decision. And amongst those to suggest that Leeds needed to make a change was Neville. He did however, say that it was a shame to see Bielsa go.

“I think a little bit of sadness because of the fact when you went to watch Leeds play, I’ve enjoyed great games. But the fact of the matter is in the last few weeks, months, it’s become really desperate. And you go from admiration to despair watching them and thinking they’re just not really exciting anymore, they’re really bad,” he told Sky Sports.

“And they’ve been really bad defensively in the last few weeks, months, conceding so many goals, so many chances. No respect for the opposition. We know that Marcelo Bielsa has his values and his principles.

“But there is some sadness because Leeds games were always exciting to watch.”

Leeds may have taken ultimate gamble by letting Bielsa go

Some Leeds fans did become frustrated that Bielsa did not modify his style to suit the opposition. But the outpouring of emotion following the news highlights how gutted many now are.

It is a real gamble to make a change. Bielsa has taken Leeds out of difficult periods in the past. And clearly, many felt that he would do the same again this season.

What will not help his successor is that the Leeds fans will always have the ‘what if’ regarding the rest of the season. It is imperative that they now stay up after letting one of the most popular figures in the club’s history go.