The Argentine has set an exceptional standard, both on and off the pitch, for Whites bosses to come.
He delivered what, for many years, felt like the impossible dream for Leeds fans in securing the Whites' long-awaited promotion to the Premier League, while earning the admiration of the city and the club's global fanbase.
In his second season as a Premier League manager, faltering form forced Bielsa to defend the footballing principles he developed over his 40+ year career as a manager, but sticking to his guns proved costly.
In February, Leeds lost four league games in a row for the first time under Bielsa in a challenging string of results which put United's hard-fought top-flight status in peril, causing the the club and coach to part ways on Sunday February 27.
We’ve worked out where Bielsa ranks among the club’s best and worst managers over the last 30 years, in order of win percentage.
Included are every manager who’s directed the Whites on a matchday since 1991, caretakers and all.
13. Neil Redfearn - 38.1%
Who you gonna call? Neil Redfearn! Redfearn has accrued a decent win rate during his tenure as Elland Road's resident supply teacher, winning 16 games across four stints as Leeds manager. The Reserves coach was handed the top job on a permanent basis November 2014. Redfearn changed Leeds’ formation and brought about an upturn in form before falling out with owner Massimo Cellino. He briefly returned to his role in the academy before departing the club altogether in July 2015. Photo: Bryn Lennon
14. Terry Venables - 38.1%
In the summer of 2002, Venables joined a club beset with financial difficulties. In the same window, Leeds were forced to sell their star and captain Rio Ferdinand to the Whites’ bitter rivals Manchester United in a regrettable transfer of the type that would characterise Venables’ managerial stint. Venables did not follow through on his ultimatum that suggested he would leave if Jonathan Woodgate were offloaded in a raid for cash, but board relations were fraught and Venables was shown the door two months later in March 2003. Photo: Sunday Herald/Getty
15. Dennis Wise - 44.1%
Leeds wrestled Wise out of the clutches of League Two Swindon Town, who couldn’t believe their luck when, with limited managerial experience, Wise led them to one of their best league starts in 2006. Charged with shoring up an unsteady ship, Wise arrived at Elland Road with high hopes of restoring the Whites’ Premiership status. It was to be a losing battle though, as Leeds’ 10-point penalty for administration confirmed the Whites’ first ever season in League One. Under Wise Leeds made a strong start to League One life, even reaching first place over the Christmas period, but the head coach departed shortly after to be director of football at Premiership side Newcastle. Photo: Matthew Lewis
16. Kevin Blackwell - 38.3%
Following stints playing second fiddle to Peter Reid and Eddie Gray, Blackwell was promoted to first team coach in June 2004 with the unenviable task of rebuilding a team whose heart had been gutted out in the name of raising the funds needed to recover from crippling debt. With an eye for bargain talent and the patter to persuade players of Leeds’ appeal, Blackwell took the Whites to the play-off final in 2006. But it was Watford who claimed the coveted Premiership spot for the 2006/2007 season, and a slow start to Leeds’ next Championship campaign meant Blackwell got the sack. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropolous
17. Howard Wilkinson - 43.3%
Sergeant Wilko worked wonders at Elland Road, leading the Whites to tier two promotion in 1990 before they claimed the league championship in 1992. The trophy lift was to be the pinnacle of his Leeds career, though, as his progress faltered thereafter. He was sacked at the beginning of the 1996/1997 season after a poor start. Wilkinson remains the last English manager to manage a team to a title in the top flight. Photo: All Sport UK/Getty
18. Thomas Christiansen - 45.5%
Leeds United were Christiansen’s first taste of English football following managerial appointments in Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates. Arriving in the summer of 2017, the Whites went undefeated for seven games under the Spaniard at the start of the 2017/2018 season but Christiansen was given the sack in February 2018 after six games without a win. Photo: Nathan Stirk