When the message went out on Twitter that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa had called a special press conference for 5pm tonight, there was a ripple of alarm amongst Leeds fans.
Actually, scrap the phrase ‘ripple of alarm’ and replace is with full-blown panic reaching Armageddon status in places. It really was enough to stir up the passions in Leeds United fans, and blow the cobwebs from reserve Twitter servers that were sparked into life by a sudden surge of traffic.
There were some purveyors of doom going on about Bielsa doing a mic drop moment and resigning. There were others left wondering what they would be getting from the Argentina national coach.
What those invited members of the press did get was a coaching masterclass, with both an apology thrown in as well as a reiteration that he’d done nothing wrong – well nothing that broke any legal guidelines.
He basically broke down Derby’s tactics into granular pieces. Bielsa ground it down to such a fine degree that he’s basically helped out every side yet to play Derby County this season.
His dissection of their play, style and tendencies was done to show that he’d gained no advantage from sending a ‘spy’ to watch a Derby County session from a public pathway.
He then thanked those present, said his goodbyes and walked out. Such was the manner of his press conference, and his exit that Leeds player Pontus Jansson tweeted this:
MB just left the training ground 😆 pic.twitter.com/wEbfuPJ4x9
— Pontus Jansson (@PJansson5) January 16, 2019
It was yet another Jansson tweet that hit the Leeds United zeitgeist and it certainly drew a response from Leeds United fans. Here’s what some Whites supporters have said in reply.
Jansson drops boss tweet – Leeds fans reactions
Pontus, I love you!! 😂😂 Leeds legend 💛💙💛💙
— Dawn Halliday (@Dawnhalliday76) January 16, 2019
Yes! well apart from the 2 hours between him announcing an impromptu press conference to him dismantling Derby.
— Jonny Strachan (@JonnyStrachan1) January 16, 2019
The Gaffer is a genius 😂 Derby play tonight , I hope Southampton were following Twitter 😂
— Andy Hinds (@andyhinds) January 16, 2019
Jesus man if we go up you’re all legends but you my friend wow
— Wiggy LUFC (@SimonWhitney2) January 16, 2019
Your tweets are rising to a whole new level. Bravo sir !!
— lee (@montyoxymoron) January 16, 2019
All the players tweets will be getting analysed by Bielsa tonight and shown on PowerPoint tomorrow!
— suraj kaushal (@onesuj) January 16, 2019
Getting ready for the next game! #mot pic.twitter.com/IT8IWn4Arl
— Paul Chapman (@Paulstephen2) January 16, 2019