It really feels like now or never in terms of promotion to the Premier League for Leeds United.
A 4-0 win over Hull City at the weekend will have done enough to ease the nerves surrounding another burnout following a period where they earned just one win from six league games.
However, the Whites have bounced back in tremendous style, winning their next four matches on the trot.
It’s been a period of rejuvenation for Marcelo Bielsa who went away from his typical video analysis and instead motivated his team through the mode of speech alone.
That being said, whether he remains at the club beyond the 2019/20 campaign could come down to promotion. Journalist Phil Hay has claimed he’ll be out the door if they fail in their aims but links last week suggested he could join Real Betis.
Those reports are concerning considering the Argentine hasn’t stayed at his last three clubs beyond two seasons.
Though, if he does indeed depart Elland Road, Andrea Radrizzani would make a mistake by hiring a man reportedly attracting their attention last year.
That happens to be Steven Gerrard. The 39-year-old would be an attractive appointment on the basis of his playing career but his managerial days have seen brighter times.
His Rangers team are now 12 points behind Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premiership and his side are showing typical characteristics of Leeds. Just as the Yorkshire outfit have done in previous years, their form has taken a turn for the worst at the business stage of the season.
Domestically, Gerrard’s side have failed to win five matches in 2020 and top scorer Alfredo Morelos hasn’t netted at all in 2020. The parallels with the Leeds side of last term are there for all to see. Indeed, Morelos’ form is comparable with that of Patrick Bamford who has also struggled to find the back of the net – he has scored only 12.
Leeds have the second-worst conversion rate in the Championship and Gerrard’s failure to adapt a plan B in Scotland is alarming. Without Morelos at the weekend, they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Fans have begun to call for the former Liverpool player’s head and the pressure appears to be getting to him.
When asked about his future after the Gers’ latest defeat, Gerrard commented: “I just need to think, I am feeling pain right now because I want to win here. I am desperate to win here, but looking from the side today I didn’t get the impression that the feeling among my players was the same.”
Call yourself a Leeds expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?
As speculation surrounding his future ramps up, Radrizzani would be foolish to even explore the option of hiring someone whose team have tailed off considerably this calendar year. If Bielsa does leave for Betis they need a manager who can maintain the standards of a team throughout an entire season.
Failed promotion for Leeds this term would be gut-wrenching given their defeat in the playoffs last season. Bielsa’s team failed to win five of their first eight matches in 2019 and then didn’t win any of their final four.
Those two spells were telling in their bid to go up. With Gerrard’s Rangers showing similar signs this term – they can’t afford to appoint him if the scenario comes about.
Meanwhile, Leeds’ £23m duo are proving to be BAD NEWS for Ian Poveda…