Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa pays £150,000 for Elland Road renovation designed by his wife

Rodrigo scored a 94th minute penalty against Wolves last weekend as Leeds drew 1-1 after an early goal from Hee-Chan Hwang, but fans will be disappointed they didn't manage to secure all three points after dominating large periods of the game

Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa has used £150,000 of his own money to improve facilities for his staff at Elland Road.

The Whites boss very quickly became a fan’s favourite at the Yorkshire club after his appointment in 2018.

The Argentine boss transformed Leeds into a high-pressing, fast-paced side and guided the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2020 after 16 years away from the English top-flight.

This season, Bielsa’s side are struggling and some are associating the club with ‘second season syndrome’, having secured a top-flight finish in the previous campaign.

Leeds are currently sitting in 17th position with one win, four draws and four defeats, and the mood around Elland Road is quickly changing after the reality that the club are in a relegation scrap has kicked in.

Marcelo Bielsa is adored by the Leeds faithful

However, the goodwill gesture of their manager has put the club in the headlines for all the right reasons.

According to the Daily Mail, Bielsa has funded a new state-of-the-art gym to be installed at Elland Road for his staff to use and keep fit.

The former Argentina manager also had his wife, architect Laura Bracalenti, design the room to make the best use of the space and ensure it was of the highest quality for the team.

Weights, treadmills, bikes and other pieces of equipment line the walls of the space, located near the club’s admin offices on the East side of the stadium.

In fitting fashion, ‘Marching On Together’ – Leeds’ club motto – is inscribed over the walls as well as photos and prints of the local countryside and surrounding area.

The facilities are now open to staff and they also have access to a new shower area and also changing rooms.

It is believed that Bielsa has funded this renovation as he wants all of his staff to remain fit and healthy, so having the facilities to do so whilst at the stadium is crucial.

Leeds head to Carrow Road on Sunday to take on Norwich, in what is now perceived as a six-pointer.

Bielsa’s side can head into the tie confident after the Canaries were beaten 7-0 by Chelsea at the weekend, but they could be without Patrick Bamford, Raphinha and Luke Ayling for the match due to injury.