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And it was Beautiful: Marcelo Bielsa and the Rebirth of Leeds United
UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE 2021/22 SEASON THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERThe behind-the-scenes story of the Marcelo Bielsa revolution at Leeds United and their first season back in the Premier League after sixteen years of hurt.FEATURING FRESH PERSONAL INSIGHT FROM MARCELO BIELSAOn 27th February 2022, after 170 matches in charge, promotion to the Premier League and some of the most exhilarating football the English game has ever seen, Leeds United parted company with their most beloved and successful manager in a Marcelo Bielsa. His parting gift was to embrace the crowds of adoring fans who turned up to say thank you as he left the club's training ground for the final time.In And it was Beautiful, The Athletic's Phil Hay chronicles Leeds United's glorious first season back in the top flight - which saw them finish ninth - after a chaotic sixteen-year absence. Phil pulls back the curtain on the hallmarks that now define the Marcelo Bielsa era, from his gruelling training schedule - including his infamous 'murderball' sessions - to innovative tactical methods that elevated Championship regulars into Premier League stars. Bielsa performed miracles, turning football into high art and making an extraordinary cultural impact on the city of Leeds. The result is a unique and fitting tribute to a Leeds United icon.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 3, 2021
Phil Hay is one of my favourite sports writers, because he's got a genuine understanding of emotion and narrative.
Football isn't important because "man put ball in net hooray." It's important because it's a cultural touchstone for millions, and we ascribe value to it because of the way it brings us together.
This book's like that. It's not just a list of match reports. It's about how ideas changed a cultural institution. How one visionary coach changed the way his players and their fans think about football. About how it's a game for everyone, and it should be enjoyable for everyone. It's about emotional connections, and how Bielsa's ideas moved Leeds United from a team going nowhere to a team that had re-engaged a whole community and started what might be a path to success.
It's just the icing on the cake that Leeds happen to end 16 years of abject misery during the period the book covers.
Football isn't important because "man put ball in net hooray." It's important because it's a cultural touchstone for millions, and we ascribe value to it because of the way it brings us together.
This book's like that. It's not just a list of match reports. It's about how ideas changed a cultural institution. How one visionary coach changed the way his players and their fans think about football. About how it's a game for everyone, and it should be enjoyable for everyone. It's about emotional connections, and how Bielsa's ideas moved Leeds United from a team going nowhere to a team that had re-engaged a whole community and started what might be a path to success.
It's just the icing on the cake that Leeds happen to end 16 years of abject misery during the period the book covers.
February 10, 2025
I have long accepted that I won't experience a better time as a supporter of Leeds United than the Marcelo Bielsa era. I guess I was lucky that I didn't experience too much of the chaotic wilderness years, what with being a kid and changing teams every year basically, but I did still experience a handful of 13th place finishes once I accepted that realistically I can't support any other team. At the time of his appointment, I didn't know who Bielsa was but I still remember being optimistic. And then the football came and it was beautiful. I will never forget that 3-1 win over Stoke in Bielsa's first game, that was the start of something truly magical.
There were absolutely some turbulent times during Bielsa's reign, the two major ones both involving Derby, a club I will probably never like for that reason. But those turbulances also made it so special. I genuinely believe that very few supporters of other football clubs will experience anything as incredible as Bielsa's reign. For all the glory and the trophies you could win, nothing can match the emotion, the love, the labour that went into it. More than anybody else, Bielsa truly loved the game. It was not about the money, it was purely about football.
Every few months, I think back to Bielsa's tenure. It often brings a tear to my eye, a bittersweet sadness that I'll never experience anything quite like it again. It's not just Bielsa though, it's about how the players bought into him and loved him. Kalvin, Cooper, Dallas, Ayling, Bamford, Raphinha, Hernandez, White, Klichy, even the likes of Alioski and Berardi, these are gonna go down as some of my favourite players in Leeds history. The beauty of Bielsa's stint would not be the same without them, they loved him and in his own special way, he loved them. And we loved them all.
I'm realising now that I haven't actually really said anything about this book I'm supposedly reviewing. It's great! It's a really great way of reliving Bielsa's era and bringing back memories of the goals, the games, the highs, the lows, and everything that made Bielsa so special. Phil Hay does a great job of retelling it and of course he does, I mean I don't think I'd have read this book if it had been written by just about anybody. Phil Hay was the go to journo during the Bielsa era and he brings a lot of great insight into some of the things that went on behind the scenes, but he never loses track of what Bielsa meant to the fans and how he, even if only briefly, brought back a club from the dead. Not many men could turn one of football's most hated clubs into one of its most beloved, but Bielsa could. And that's really all this book needs to be great, get across just how special and amazing of a man Bielsa was. His legacy will never be forgotten in Leeds, vamos Leeds carajo!
There were absolutely some turbulent times during Bielsa's reign, the two major ones both involving Derby, a club I will probably never like for that reason. But those turbulances also made it so special. I genuinely believe that very few supporters of other football clubs will experience anything as incredible as Bielsa's reign. For all the glory and the trophies you could win, nothing can match the emotion, the love, the labour that went into it. More than anybody else, Bielsa truly loved the game. It was not about the money, it was purely about football.
Every few months, I think back to Bielsa's tenure. It often brings a tear to my eye, a bittersweet sadness that I'll never experience anything quite like it again. It's not just Bielsa though, it's about how the players bought into him and loved him. Kalvin, Cooper, Dallas, Ayling, Bamford, Raphinha, Hernandez, White, Klichy, even the likes of Alioski and Berardi, these are gonna go down as some of my favourite players in Leeds history. The beauty of Bielsa's stint would not be the same without them, they loved him and in his own special way, he loved them. And we loved them all.
I'm realising now that I haven't actually really said anything about this book I'm supposedly reviewing. It's great! It's a really great way of reliving Bielsa's era and bringing back memories of the goals, the games, the highs, the lows, and everything that made Bielsa so special. Phil Hay does a great job of retelling it and of course he does, I mean I don't think I'd have read this book if it had been written by just about anybody. Phil Hay was the go to journo during the Bielsa era and he brings a lot of great insight into some of the things that went on behind the scenes, but he never loses track of what Bielsa meant to the fans and how he, even if only briefly, brought back a club from the dead. Not many men could turn one of football's most hated clubs into one of its most beloved, but Bielsa could. And that's really all this book needs to be great, get across just how special and amazing of a man Bielsa was. His legacy will never be forgotten in Leeds, vamos Leeds carajo!
September 12, 2021
An excellent book that details the rise of Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa, as well as giving an in-depth look at the owner Radrizzini and his right-hand man, Victor Orta (Director of Football). In between a review of last season, Leeds first in the Premiership for 16 years, it looks at Bielsa's coaching methods, his tactical analysis and the previous years of hurt for Leeds in general - floating around the football leagues.
This is a must-read for any Leeds fan, but equally, there's enough here to keep any football fan entertained. And if you didn't know about previous owner Massimo Cellino, you'd think his sections were fictitious (they really aren't!)
This is a must-read for any Leeds fan, but equally, there's enough here to keep any football fan entertained. And if you didn't know about previous owner Massimo Cellino, you'd think his sections were fictitious (they really aren't!)
December 27, 2022
Not read anything since mum died. Enjoyable look at bielsa and leeds .
March 1, 2024
A great look into one of the most enigmatic men in football history. A great look into why we all care about this silly game. Thank you Marcelo and Phil.
#MOT #ALAW
#MOT #ALAW
April 15, 2022
Phil Hay, currently working for The Athletic, was the Leeds United sports-writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post. He knows the history of the club, through the ups and downs, so can document it here along with referencing interviews he personally has conducted.
The book describes Leeds United's first season in the Premier League after 16 seasons. Each month has a chapter, but then it alternates between random topics which explore the past. I do find it annoying when football books tell the story out of chronological order, because it doesn't tell a cohesive story when Leeds are in the Premier League, then in the Championship with Bielsa, then in the Championship without him, then League 1 etc. Phil essentially tells the journey via flashbacks for comparison but I'd much prefer chronological.
Leeds fans know the mediocrity of the ownership of Ken Bates which dropped them down to League One, then years of mid-table mediocrity under GFH then Massimo Cellino. Andrea Radrizzani, alongside chairman Angus Kinnear, and Director of Football Victor Orta, started the turnaround and showed the ambition that the club deserves. It wasn't until their decision to appoint Marcelo Bielsa that people really believed a return to the Premier League could happen, but even Bielsa failed in his first season despite being close.
Marcelo isn't just a standard manager, his ideas seem quite extreme which leads to his short stays at various clubs. The Leeds board were willing to accept his requests, like adding rooms to sleep in at the training ground, and even repositioning the plug-sockets to his liking. He employs his own coaching team, rather than letting the club employ them like normal. He demands strict weight guidelines, and has intense fitness sessions (including the training game "Murderball") in order to implement his style of football which people sometimes called "Bielsa-ball". Leeds' statistics showed intense pressing and large distance covered per game. Sometimes the football results in high goals for and against which was entertaining to football fans but drew criticism from pundits. When it worked, he was a genius. When Leeds were losing, he was accused of having no plan B.
Marcelo isn't in it for the money (although he is highly paid). Instead, he chose Leeds for the passion that the city had, and he definitely reignited it.
The book describes Leeds United's first season in the Premier League after 16 seasons. Each month has a chapter, but then it alternates between random topics which explore the past. I do find it annoying when football books tell the story out of chronological order, because it doesn't tell a cohesive story when Leeds are in the Premier League, then in the Championship with Bielsa, then in the Championship without him, then League 1 etc. Phil essentially tells the journey via flashbacks for comparison but I'd much prefer chronological.
Leeds fans know the mediocrity of the ownership of Ken Bates which dropped them down to League One, then years of mid-table mediocrity under GFH then Massimo Cellino. Andrea Radrizzani, alongside chairman Angus Kinnear, and Director of Football Victor Orta, started the turnaround and showed the ambition that the club deserves. It wasn't until their decision to appoint Marcelo Bielsa that people really believed a return to the Premier League could happen, but even Bielsa failed in his first season despite being close.
Marcelo isn't just a standard manager, his ideas seem quite extreme which leads to his short stays at various clubs. The Leeds board were willing to accept his requests, like adding rooms to sleep in at the training ground, and even repositioning the plug-sockets to his liking. He employs his own coaching team, rather than letting the club employ them like normal. He demands strict weight guidelines, and has intense fitness sessions (including the training game "Murderball") in order to implement his style of football which people sometimes called "Bielsa-ball". Leeds' statistics showed intense pressing and large distance covered per game. Sometimes the football results in high goals for and against which was entertaining to football fans but drew criticism from pundits. When it worked, he was a genius. When Leeds were losing, he was accused of having no plan B.
Marcelo isn't in it for the money (although he is highly paid). Instead, he chose Leeds for the passion that the city had, and he definitely reignited it.
January 8, 2022
As a Leeds United fan I had been looking forward to reading 'And it was Beautiful' since I heard about it.
Phil Hay is a fantastic football journalist as evidenced through his work for both the Yorkshire Evening Post and more recently the Athletic. He has levels of access to the inner workings of Leeds United than most journalists and gives an incredible insight into the inner workings of Leeds United both past and present.
The format of the book alternates a recap of a month of the Premier League season with the episodes from the recent history of Leeds United. The recap of the Premier League season was interesting as we are told of some of the ways in which a football team runs behind the scenes. Hay also shares personal comments from players within the Leeds squad which helps to show the levels of access to the club he has.
Where this book comes into its own though is through the chapters exploring the recent history of the club. Some startling revelations such as Ashley Barnes not being signed because Luke Varney who was already at Leeds was rated on Football Manager or Massimo Cellino dismissing the catering staff and leaving nobody to replace the milk in the fridge at the training ground.
Very little of the insight on Bielsa comes from the man himself. It is all from Hay's own observations and interviews with those who have worked under Bielsa previously. In all of these comments Bielsa comes out very positively and Hay creates the impression that all who cross paths with Bielsa admire and are in awe of him.
Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear (the men who run Leeds United) come out of this book very well and are clearly far superior to the previous custodians of the club. If we didn't already have an idea about how badly the club had been prior to the arrival of Radrizzani as owner the tales are so farcical that you wouldn't believe them.
A must read for all football fans, but particularly those who are fans of Leeds United. P
Phil Hay is a fantastic football journalist as evidenced through his work for both the Yorkshire Evening Post and more recently the Athletic. He has levels of access to the inner workings of Leeds United than most journalists and gives an incredible insight into the inner workings of Leeds United both past and present.
The format of the book alternates a recap of a month of the Premier League season with the episodes from the recent history of Leeds United. The recap of the Premier League season was interesting as we are told of some of the ways in which a football team runs behind the scenes. Hay also shares personal comments from players within the Leeds squad which helps to show the levels of access to the club he has.
Where this book comes into its own though is through the chapters exploring the recent history of the club. Some startling revelations such as Ashley Barnes not being signed because Luke Varney who was already at Leeds was rated on Football Manager or Massimo Cellino dismissing the catering staff and leaving nobody to replace the milk in the fridge at the training ground.
Very little of the insight on Bielsa comes from the man himself. It is all from Hay's own observations and interviews with those who have worked under Bielsa previously. In all of these comments Bielsa comes out very positively and Hay creates the impression that all who cross paths with Bielsa admire and are in awe of him.
Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear (the men who run Leeds United) come out of this book very well and are clearly far superior to the previous custodians of the club. If we didn't already have an idea about how badly the club had been prior to the arrival of Radrizzani as owner the tales are so farcical that you wouldn't believe them.
A must read for all football fans, but particularly those who are fans of Leeds United. P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2021
A book by my favourite journalist on my club was always going to get 5 stars! Written with alternate chapters, some focusing on Leeds United's first season back in the Premier League, the others focusing on the many ups and downs experienced by the club and its long suffering fans over the preceding years, it makes for a very interesting read and a must for any football fan. The one thing I will say is there wasn't much in here that I wasn't already aware of, but that is a minor point and I'd rather it that way around than things included which are not verified, which I know Phil Hay would never do anyway. Maybe one day we'll get the Bielsa autobiography, or the one on one interview, and that would make for essential reading.
February 22, 2024
And it was beautiful by Phil Hay – thank you for the memories Bielsa. I am a Leeds United fan so I am biased about Bielsa; I remember the stories in this book right down to individual games, and I remember how upturned the world of Leeds United as a fan came to be. The book was an opportunity to relive the time and gain a deeper understanding with reflection. After sixteen years in the wilderness I watched Leeds not only return to the Premier League but also finish ninth in the first season and with a style of football that brought managed chaos to the league.
The arrival of Radrizzani and Orta was underwhelming at first – Leeds were plateauing for years. The new owners and management recruited failed managers and the initial impression was more of the same. The came Bielsa. Who worked largely with the same players using his fairly unique techniques to enable players to play above their own known abilities.
Bielsa became a demi god to fans, transforming players into heroes, bringing a new level of principles and integrity to leadership that we had not seen since Don Revie. His level of control of the club was beyond what coaches typically had. Phil Hay brings the story of his short adventure with Leeds to blistering life.
This is written by a journalist and like other books that have been written by journalists – usually political – it has a diary feel to it. I listen to Phil Hay on the Square Ball podcast and he is certainly informed and insightful. The coverage is typically what I already knew from when I followed the season on media. At times Phil Hay has insights that add value to the story. Massimo Cellino dismissing the catering staff with no replacements so there was no milk in the fridge at the training ground. But I didn’t learn as much as I hoped. This book is not, is a behind-the-scenes story.
The key weakness to the biography is that Phil Hay is not able to meet with Bielsa to tell us what makes him tick. There are moments when Phil Hay is able to provide a deeper insight into the drama – tactics, talking to other people, etc. Hay tries to paint that picture of how Bielsa was different from his beginnings as a coach with his more radical style of training and fitness. Despite the pressing and running Bielsa ultimately lacked that goalscorer, shown in the low ratio of shots to goals. He also became notorious for refusing to have a Plan B – instead – just score more.
Phil Hay breaks up the story with alternate chapters, partly chronologically about the promotion to the premier league, partly about the club in the general – moments in the Championship and League One, up to when Radrizzani took over the club. I found this disorientating and disruptive to the flow of the story.
The epilogue sits very uncomfortably with the story as it rushes through a whole season in one chapter and it runs counter to the rest of the book; the epilogue criticises his approach to his last season where the team’s performance falls apart. Other than over training, a high number of injuries, and Bielsa’s stubbornness, it is difficult from one swift chapter to understand how it fell apart so suddenly. Bielsa was dismissed on 27th February 2022, after 170 matches in charge, having promoted Leeds to the Premier League and changed how football can be played. It was emotional at the time that however bad the results were, the fans stood by their coach.
Whilst Hay praises the owner and bosses (Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear) for what they did for the club, but fans have a different opinion. Radrizzani and Orta certainly played a part in mismanaging Bielsa’s final year.
What Phil Hay does not report – which has been reported elsewhere - is that Bielsa offered to resign on the basis that he had taken the squad as far as he could and would need new players to progress. I don’t know true if this is and it does run counter to what Phil Hay reports. It does indicate that without new players the squad was still very championship standard. The epilogue leaves a sour taste to the whole book - a rushed and negative end to what is a homage to a rare hero in Leeds’ hundred year history.
The arrival of Radrizzani and Orta was underwhelming at first – Leeds were plateauing for years. The new owners and management recruited failed managers and the initial impression was more of the same. The came Bielsa. Who worked largely with the same players using his fairly unique techniques to enable players to play above their own known abilities.
Bielsa became a demi god to fans, transforming players into heroes, bringing a new level of principles and integrity to leadership that we had not seen since Don Revie. His level of control of the club was beyond what coaches typically had. Phil Hay brings the story of his short adventure with Leeds to blistering life.
This is written by a journalist and like other books that have been written by journalists – usually political – it has a diary feel to it. I listen to Phil Hay on the Square Ball podcast and he is certainly informed and insightful. The coverage is typically what I already knew from when I followed the season on media. At times Phil Hay has insights that add value to the story. Massimo Cellino dismissing the catering staff with no replacements so there was no milk in the fridge at the training ground. But I didn’t learn as much as I hoped. This book is not, is a behind-the-scenes story.
The key weakness to the biography is that Phil Hay is not able to meet with Bielsa to tell us what makes him tick. There are moments when Phil Hay is able to provide a deeper insight into the drama – tactics, talking to other people, etc. Hay tries to paint that picture of how Bielsa was different from his beginnings as a coach with his more radical style of training and fitness. Despite the pressing and running Bielsa ultimately lacked that goalscorer, shown in the low ratio of shots to goals. He also became notorious for refusing to have a Plan B – instead – just score more.
Phil Hay breaks up the story with alternate chapters, partly chronologically about the promotion to the premier league, partly about the club in the general – moments in the Championship and League One, up to when Radrizzani took over the club. I found this disorientating and disruptive to the flow of the story.
The epilogue sits very uncomfortably with the story as it rushes through a whole season in one chapter and it runs counter to the rest of the book; the epilogue criticises his approach to his last season where the team’s performance falls apart. Other than over training, a high number of injuries, and Bielsa’s stubbornness, it is difficult from one swift chapter to understand how it fell apart so suddenly. Bielsa was dismissed on 27th February 2022, after 170 matches in charge, having promoted Leeds to the Premier League and changed how football can be played. It was emotional at the time that however bad the results were, the fans stood by their coach.
Whilst Hay praises the owner and bosses (Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear) for what they did for the club, but fans have a different opinion. Radrizzani and Orta certainly played a part in mismanaging Bielsa’s final year.
What Phil Hay does not report – which has been reported elsewhere - is that Bielsa offered to resign on the basis that he had taken the squad as far as he could and would need new players to progress. I don’t know true if this is and it does run counter to what Phil Hay reports. It does indicate that without new players the squad was still very championship standard. The epilogue leaves a sour taste to the whole book - a rushed and negative end to what is a homage to a rare hero in Leeds’ hundred year history.
March 5, 2022
As a devout Huddersfield Town fan, I probably shouldn't be reading books about the manager of our bitter rivals. But I'm fascinated by Bielsa and the things he achieved at Leeds, particularly the dual feat of getting them promoted to the Premier League while making them more likeable to neutrals than they've ever been. Bielsa is an interesting subject but this book succeeds because Phil Hay is an excellent writer. He gets under the skin of what makes Bielsa and Leeds tick. An unusual coincidence meant that Bielsa was sacked by Leeds when I was half way through this book celebrating the things he's achieved. If Bielsa is half the manager this book portrays him to be it won't be long before Leeds regret their decision and long to have him back.
March 15, 2022
I love learning about the ins and outs of football clubs and obviously Bielsa's Leeds is the most interesting of all. Excellent write up of how Bielsa brought Leeds back to the Premier league, made even more poignant by the history of Leeds' demise also being included in the book.
Bielsa's integrity, innovation and morals are explained perfectly and I love the idea that not many people feel indifferently about Marcelo showing the influence he has had in his cpaching career.
"Emotion was what he sought when he packed his cases and flew out of Beunos Aires for England. The job at Elland Road would make a rich man richer but the search was for beauty. And in Leeds he found it."
Bielsa's integrity, innovation and morals are explained perfectly and I love the idea that not many people feel indifferently about Marcelo showing the influence he has had in his cpaching career.
"Emotion was what he sought when he packed his cases and flew out of Beunos Aires for England. The job at Elland Road would make a rich man richer but the search was for beauty. And in Leeds he found it."
February 11, 2024
Being a Leeds United fan for a while now, I was able to witness the rise of Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds from the mediocrity of the past nearly two decades. For my entire memorable life, Leeds were always average to below average, seemingly stuck in their way and content with doing just enough, but never more. I would give this book 5 stars if there was more cohesion in the timeline where Phil Hay recalls Bielsas tenure at Leeds. Sometimes it can get very in the weeds of the details, but I enjoy knowing things past the normal amount. For a book of this nature, I truly enjoyed recalling so many fond times of the unforgettable rise of Bielsa. MOT
January 13, 2025
A well-researched and sourced book that chronicles Leeds' return to top flight football after a surprisingly long time in purgatory.
This one certainly has a niche audience - for either a Leeds United and/or Bielsa fan. If you're the former you're almost certainly the latter too. For Bielsa fans, the book offers some insight into the enigmatic man. Would be nice to have more, but he hasn't granted a 1:1 interview in a quarter century so that would have been a tall order.
Phil Hay is one of the most talented sportswriters I've ever read. The prose in this book is just a cut below that of his writing in The Athletic.
This one certainly has a niche audience - for either a Leeds United and/or Bielsa fan. If you're the former you're almost certainly the latter too. For Bielsa fans, the book offers some insight into the enigmatic man. Would be nice to have more, but he hasn't granted a 1:1 interview in a quarter century so that would have been a tall order.
Phil Hay is one of the most talented sportswriters I've ever read. The prose in this book is just a cut below that of his writing in The Athletic.
June 5, 2023
Finally got around to finishing this just as Leeds have been relegated from Premier league and pretty much dismantled what Bielsa had built.
Very insightful book and background into the methods and madness of Bielsa. Thoroughly enjoyable read but wasn't a fan how it darted around at times.
In any case a great read to fully understand what Bielsa game to Leeds and I know fully understand what Bielsa widow is!
Bueno!
Very insightful book and background into the methods and madness of Bielsa. Thoroughly enjoyable read but wasn't a fan how it darted around at times.
In any case a great read to fully understand what Bielsa game to Leeds and I know fully understand what Bielsa widow is!
Bueno!
September 15, 2021
As a long-suffering Leeds fan, this account of how Marcelo Bielsa turned the club's fortunes around and brought them back to the Premier League was always going to get full marks from me! The chapters interweave details of each month of the 20-21 Premier League campaign with the stories of the past, exploring what went wrong (everything) and how Bielsa brought the joy back. Marching on together!
October 17, 2021
Vital read for Leeds fans
If you are a Leeds United supporter then this book is a must read, full of information and reliving good and bad times. If you are not a Leeds fan, but interested in English football then it may resonate with you. If you don’t follow English football then you will have no interest.
If you are a Leeds United supporter then this book is a must read, full of information and reliving good and bad times. If you are not a Leeds fan, but interested in English football then it may resonate with you. If you don’t follow English football then you will have no interest.
December 4, 2021
A book written by an author with a lot of insight into Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa's time at the club.
As an overseas Leeds United supporter, I learned at lot about the goings- on at the club in the last 3 years, things that it would probably have been hard to learn without living in Leeds.
I enjoyed the book tremendously and recommend it to any Leeds United or Marcelo Bielsa fan.
As an overseas Leeds United supporter, I learned at lot about the goings- on at the club in the last 3 years, things that it would probably have been hard to learn without living in Leeds.
I enjoyed the book tremendously and recommend it to any Leeds United or Marcelo Bielsa fan.
September 30, 2023
I found the jumping around time-lines a little confusing at first and there were a few sentences that came across as a bit clunky and needed re-reading to fully understand. (Almost certainly my fault. Hay is paid to write, so knows how to...).
Overall, though, a fascinating look at one of the best periods in the history of LUFC and the man who engineered it.
Overall, though, a fascinating look at one of the best periods in the history of LUFC and the man who engineered it.
October 18, 2023
I'm super biased (I love Bielsa's soccer and I loved watching this Leeds team), and I loved this book. Wonderfully woven together, touches all the interesting parts of how Bielsa is, how he coaches, how he affects players and teams, how he prepares, how things came together in that magic promotion season, that mad first year back, and what went wrong.
August 24, 2025
A captivating read from the start. Phil Hay does a great job capturing who Bielsa is and why his cultural impact on Leeds will last for many years to come.
“The crowd at Elland Road fell in love with his humility as they fell in love with his football…in the commercial world of professional football, he was a lifeboat for anyone who wanted the game to feel authentic.”
“The crowd at Elland Road fell in love with his humility as they fell in love with his football…in the commercial world of professional football, he was a lifeboat for anyone who wanted the game to feel authentic.”
November 24, 2021
Phil Hay is a leader in sports writing who knows LUFC inside out. This story of how the team were raised up from Championship also-rans to Premiership leading lights is one for the ages, and I would recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in the game. MOT!
September 12, 2021
If you are a fan of Leeds United you will love this book.
September 14, 2021
A must read for Leeds Utd fans.
October 2, 2021
Bielsa is God
A great book by Phil Hay detailing how Marcelo Bielsa saved Leeds and made us all proud again with mesmeric football. Any news Phil?
A great book by Phil Hay detailing how Marcelo Bielsa saved Leeds and made us all proud again with mesmeric football. Any news Phil?
October 19, 2021
A good read though regular listener's to the Phil Hay show will be familiar with much of the material
February 6, 2022
Fantastically insightful
June 3, 2022
Wonderful writeup of a chaotically wonderful season. Viva Bielsa.
June 23, 2022
Great detailed descriptions of Bielsa at work. And the progress into the Premier, look forward to the next instalment with mixed feelings!
October 25, 2022
Great book for Leeds fans around the world
May 16, 2024
I'll go back to this in 20 years and weep throughout. A reminder that something positive actually happened at Leeds United, however fleeing it might have been
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews