Leeds employee gushes over Bielsa ‘love’ after phone call reveal
Noel Whelan has heralded Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa for his ‘class act’ of thanking Wigan Athletic for Joe Gelhardt’s development.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds striker and club ambassador admitted he could not think of many managers who possess the same “humbleness” as the Argentine.
As detailed by the Telegraph (18th November), Bielsa phoned Wigan academy manager Gregor Rioch last week to thank the Latics for their role in developing Gelhardt.
The Argentine reportedly insisted the praise coming the way of the 19-year-old at Elland Road is all down to the work put in at the DW Stadium and their academy.
Gelhardt has broken through into Leeds’ senior squad this season after joining from Wigan last summer.
Whelan insisted Bielsa’s respect is one of the reasons he is so loved at Elland Road.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think the word class is exactly what it is.
“The humbleness that he shows to everybody – managers that come to Elland Road, managers that he’s got players to say thank you and what a wonderful job they did to that point where they brought him into Leeds United.
“It’s just testimony of the man himself, isn’t it? I don’t think too many managers would go back to another club saying thank you once they’ve acquired one of their players.
“It’s a class act and a class move from a class manager. That’s why we love him so much at Elland Road.”
Gelhardt has played four times for Leeds’ first team so far.
He has also scored six goals in eight Premier League 2 games for the under-23s this season.
In other news, Whelan tells Leeds United fans to “remember the name” as excitement builds over 17-year-old.