Living, Loving and Losing Bielsaball

Marcelo Bielsa vs The Premier League is a definitive account of Leeds United’s first two seasons back in the top flight. This emotional journey captures the glory of ‘Bielsaball’, the anguish of games being held behind closed doors, the joy of returning, the despair of a relegation battle and the grief of becoming a ‘Widow of Bielsa’.

Leeds United fanatic and gifted storyteller Rocco Dean brings us the next chapter in the Whites’ recent history with a match-by-match account of two wildly contrasting and unforgettable seasons. Leeds’ first two seasons back in the top flight after a 16-year absence were anything but dull. Bielsa’s electrifying brand of breathless football took the Premier League by storm, but while their team stole the hearts of the neutrals, the Covid-19 pandemic robbed Leeds supporters of the chance to see the triumphant return in the flesh. In Season Two the fans returned but the team lost their zest, culminating in the sacking of Bielsa and a dramatic scrap for survival that was only settled with the last kick of the season. Looking beyond the intoxicating action on the pitch, this book captures the wisdom and unique nature of ‘El Loco’, the anguish of lockdowns and football behind closed doors, the joy of returning to stadiums, the despair of a relegation battle and the grief of becoming a ‘Widow of Bielsa’. Fans of Rocco Dean’s previous Bielsa book, Marcelo Bielsa vs The Damned United, will love this enthralling sequel.