Leeds United don’t have much to look forward to these days, apparently.
This once great club, its storied legacy chock full of icons like Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton and Eddie Gray, have now taken quite a drop in stature. The club, once a regular in the top flight and famous for having been a ruthless force in the sixties and seventies, now finds itself in the ignominious position of having to battle it out for promotion from the Championship.
And while they are currently at second place, the Peacocks have had a terrible run of form, having won just two of their last ten league games with only five separating them from seventh position. Grim times, without a doubt
Yet, fans will gladly take their current position any day, considering that the team was stuck in the doldrums of mid-table football just about two seasons ago.
Indeed, whatever meagre achievements the team currently possesses has all been made possible through the vision and dedication of one man: Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa is a unique breed of manager, in the sense that he has garnered a massive reputation for himself without ever having managed a big name club. How, you ask? Well, his modus operandi is quite simple; he takes charge of a relatively insignificant club, and by sheer force of will and revolutionary tactics, extracts far more out of the club than anyone could ever have imagined (Athletic Bilbao’s 2011-12 season is a shining example).
No wonder then, that the man is respected across the footballing world and is adored by the Leeds faithful for whipping them in to shape. Believe in Bielsa, as the adage goes.
It was only natural then, that fans would find comfort in something even remotely related to Bielsa during this period of hardship.
In a widely shared clip on Twitter, a man who seems to have an uncanny resemblance to the gaffer can be seen absolutely plastered in a bar. He is, along with other revelers, completely enjoying himself, singing and dancing wildly to Jon Bon Jovi’s classic Livin’ on a Prayer with his hands in the air. Twitter users absolutely loved the video, with some amazed at how this man was the “spitting image” of Bielsa.
Others commented that it was completely understandable, considering the rough few weeks he’s had recently. And with the last two months now in hindsight, one really can’t disagree.
For now, with Leeds so precariously poised in the table, the extremely devout Bielsa really does seem to be livin’ on a prayer.
