Bielsa faced the press earlier today, ahead of Leeds’ Premier League match against Sheffield United on Saturday at Elland Road. The Leeds head coach confirmed captain Liam Cooper is fit to face the Blades following illness, but it remains unclear if Mateusz Klich will be available after testing positive for Covid-19 last week while on international duty with Poland.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “The protocol has not been finalised, so we don’t know what the result can be, we don’t know yet. The evaluations haven’t been completed so we don’t know yet.”
Leeds are in 11th place on 39 points from 29 matches and although they are clear of the relegation places, Bielsa believes there is still plenty to play for in the remaining nine matches.
Marcelo Bielsa said: “There is still a lot to play for and there is still a lot to show. Every game at this level is a test. The objectives are always linked to imposing yourselves in the next game, be whatever the position in the table. There’s no position in the table that exempts you from exerting less effort.”
Heckingbottom holds no ill-feeling against Leeds
Former Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom will return to Elland Road with Sheffield United on Saturday and he insists he holds no ill-feeling against the club. Heckingbottom, who took over from Chris Wilder at the Blades last month, was replaced by Bielsa at Leeds in June 2018 after just 16 matches in charge. Heckingbottom was asked whether he was frustrated not to be given more time in charge of Leeds.
Paul Heckingbottom said: “Yeah of course, I would be lying if I didn’t, but there’s no ill feeling, it was the right club, wrong time for myself and that’s how you look at it. There are lots of things I take from that which are positive and they will say that if they are honest, it’s not always seen on the pitch. There’s always work going on behind the scenes and that’s the best work that you do that not everybody sees. I still keep in contact with the people at Leeds and it will be good to catch up with them.”
