How Marcelo Bielsa reacted to Leeds United promotion under Daniel Farke revealed | OneFootball

Journalist Henry Winter has shared details of former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's reaction to the club's promotion.

Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is said to have been delighted to see his old club win promotion back to the Premier League.

That's according to journalist Henry Winter, who has shared details of Bielsa's reaction to Leeds' return to the Premier League following a two-year absence.

It looked as though the Whites were set to face another daunting play-off campaign after dropping to third in the table in early April following a run of just one win in six games, but Daniel Farke's side finished the season in strong form, and their promotion was confirmed on Easter Monday after Burnley's win over Sheffield United.

Leeds then sealed the Championship title and reached the 100-point mark in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the season on Saturday, with Manor Solomon's 91st-minute winner completing a memorable season for the West Yorkshire outfit.

The Whites' promotion celebrations are likely to continue long into the summer, and, incredibly, it is estimated that around 150,000 people attended the club's open-top bus parade in the city centre on Monday afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa's emotional Leeds United promotion reaction outlined

Of course, Farke is not the only manager to guide Leeds to the Championship title in recent times, with Bielsa achieving the same feat in the 2019-20 season, and given that the club had been out of the Premier League for 16 years prior to that, the 69-year-old earned himself legendary status in the eyes of supporters.

Bielsa kept the Whites in the top flight in their first year back in the division, but the following season proved to be more challenging, and after a number of heavy defeats, the Argentine was sacked in February 2022 with his side sitting just outside the relegation zone.

The decision to part company with Bielsa proved to be the correct one, in the short-term at least, as his successor, Jesse Marsch, led Leeds to survival, but many supporters were heartbroken to see him depart.

Former Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani hinted last year that he tried to bring Bielsa back to Elland Road prior to their relegation to the Premier League, but while he is now the manager of the Uruguay national team, it seems that he is still taking a keen interest in how his former club are getting on.

As Leeds continue to celebrate their promotion, Winter revealed Bielsa's joy at his former club's success, writing on X: "Just to add to #LUFC promotion celebrations, I know that Marcelo Bielsa is absolutely delighted for the club, the fans and the whole city."

It has been an unforgettable few weeks for Leeds supporters, particularly as they were unable to properly celebrate their previous promotion to the Premier League, and news of Bielsa's reaction will be the icing on top of the cake.

Despite the disappointing ending to his time at Elland Road, Bielsa is still held in incredibly high regard by the Whites fan base, and they will surely be thrilled to know that he continues to keep an eye on the fortunes of his former club.

Bielsa managed to keep Leeds in the Premier League during their first season back in the division last time around, and after chairman Paraag Marathe confirmed Farke will be remaining in charge, the German will be hoping that he can do similar next term.