Marcelo Bielsa can take Leeds back to the top.. and do it his way like Sinatra, claims Howard Wilkinson

Wilkinson believes Leeds should take ‘inspiration’ from Burnley and also Sheffield United, who finished ninth last season after pipping Bielsa’s team to Championship promotion a year earlier.

He said: “Who’d have thought little old Burnley would become an established Premier League side even though it’s a town of just 70,000 people?

“But that’s down to the tremendous job Sean Dyche has done over the years and the faith the club put in him. And who would have thought that Sheffield United would hit the ground running in such an impressive way after promotion?

“That’s down to Chris Wilder, who’s managed more than 1,000 games after starting off in non-league football with Alfreton.

“It’s going to be tougher than ever for Leeds but sometimes you’ve got to win dirty, or scruffily.

“And if the opportunity is there to improve the Leeds squad then they’ve got to grasp it.

“There will be a lot of people who are wondering what all the fuss is about because Leeds have been out of the limelight for so long.

“But Leeds should take heart from the fact that history proves they can live with the very best.

“That said, they’ll need to be at it from the word ‘go’ because they won’t get 20 games to acclimatise in the Premier League.

“The new fixture list sees Bielsa pitting his wits against Klopp at Anfield on the opening day of the season, followed by Pep Guardiola coming to Elland Road.

“And then you’re off to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Wolves.

“It could be a real baptism of fire. But whatever happens it will be exciting.

“Leeds will have on their side a crowd  as raucous as they get. You know you’re in a game at Elland Road because the fans are so partisan.

“Visiting players won’t know what’s hit them when Elland Road is full again because it’s an extraordinary theatre.”

A theatre fit  for the Frank Sinatra of  football.