Eirik Bakke issues advice to Leeds United and predicts Whites finishing position under Marcelo Bielsa

Eirik Bakke has issued a stirring message to Leeds United's supporters and predicted his former side's finishing position in their second season back in the big time.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Ex-Norwegian international Bakke spent seven years with Leeds between 1999 and 2006, starring as David O'Leary's Whites competed at the top end of the Premier League table and made the Champions League semi-finals.

A decade and a half after Bakke's departure, Leeds are now back in the Premier League for a second season following a 16-year exile from the country's top flight but the Whites sit fourth-bottom having amassed just six points from their first eight games.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bakke, though, says he has no concerns about his former side and expects the Whites to fly up the table under Marcelo Bielsa as United's injured players return.

THUMBS UP: For Leeds United under head coach Marcelo Bielsa from former Whites star Eirik Bakke, left. Photo by Phil Cole/Allsport via Getty Images.THUMBS UP: For Leeds United under head coach Marcelo Bielsa from former Whites star Eirik Bakke, left. Photo by Phil Cole/Allsport via Getty Images.
THUMBS UP: For Leeds United under head coach Marcelo Bielsa from former Whites star Eirik Bakke, left. Photo by Phil Cole/Allsport via Getty Images.

Leeds were without six players for Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Southampton, Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch and Junior Firpo all injured and Raphinha not risked having only played for Brazil in the early hours of Friday morning.

"Now everybody has to stick with the team," said Bakke, speaking on the Official Leeds United Podcast.

"When the players are coming back, Leeds are going to fly up the league, I am sure.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The way they play, the way things are going, what we saw against Newcastle away, when they have that team, no team can stop them.

"You just have to be positive and then the points will come."

Asked if United's fans could genuinely act as a 12th man, Bakke reasoned: "The Leeds fans are always good but they are not happy when the team is not winning. That's the way it should be.

"But Bielsa has done a great job and now you just have to stick by what is happening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"If Leeds stay in the top flight this year as well it would be good but I think they will be top ten anyway - get the boys back, keep believing and then get some good nights at Elland Road then it's the best fans in England.

"I am not afraid that Leeds are going to go down again. I think they will climb up straight away because they have a very clear way of playing.

"Keep believing that."

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.