Head coach Marcelo Bielsa is sacked by Leeds United after a run of poor form that saw his side suffer several heavy defeats.
The 66-year-old Argentine, appointed in June 2018, leaves with the Whites two points above the relegation zone.
Under Bielsa, Leeds finished ninth last season on their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
But Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Tottenham meant they had lost their past four games by an aggregate score of 17-2.
“This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club,” said Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all.”
Leeds had finished mid-table in the Championship in six of the previous seven seasons before Bielsa’s arrival.
After they lost in the play-offs to Derby in the 2018-19 season, Bielsa’s team was promoted as champions in July 2020 when the following season restarted after the coronavirus pandemic.
Radrizzani added: “I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.
“We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.”
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, who became an England international under Bielsa’s guidance, thanked the Argentine coach for “changing everything for everyone” at the West Yorkshire club.
Who could replace Bielsa?
Leeds said they were aiming to make an announcement on Bielsa’s replacement on Monday.
Former RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch is thought to be the favourite to take over.
The 48-year-old American, who has also coached New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, left the German club in November after a five-month spell ended by mutual consent.
Other potential candidates could include former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, who replaced Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao and is currently out of work, and Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan.
How did Bielsa’s fortunes turn this season?
Before Saturday’s match against Spurs, Bielsa said he was “very worried” about Leeds’ form, having lost four of their five Premier League games before the visit of Antonio Conte’s side.
The team’s defensive deficiencies were clear again as Spurs scored three goals in the opening 27 minutes, creating more opportunities before adding a late fourth.
That loss came on the back of a 3-0 defeat at relegation rivals Everton, a 4-2 home loss to Manchester United and a 6-0 thrashing at Liverpool.
Bielsa – who has previously been called the “best coach in the world” by both Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino – oversaw just five league wins in 26 games this season.
Long-term injuries to key players – influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips, captain Liam Cooper and top-scorer Bamford – were detrimental.
Despite Leeds having conceded the most goals in the Premier League this term, Bielsa had said that playing with a more defensive approach was “not an option”.
Defeat by Spurs was Leeds’ third consecutive home loss, and also means they have lost all nine league matches this season against the established ‘big six’ clubs by an aggregate score of 34-7.
More to follow.
