'He'd decided to leave' - Newcastle United defender on his short-lived Marcelo Bielsa encounter and Leeds United plan

Newcastle United defender Javier Manquillo is heading for a reunion with Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa and says his Magpies must beat the Whites at St James' Park.
By Lee Sobot
Published 16th Sep 2021, 12:22 BST
Updated 16th Sep 2021, 12:26 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Former Spain under-21s full back Manquillo spent the 2015-16 season on loan from Atletico Madrid at Marseille, for whom Bielsa was appointed as head coach back in May 2014.

Over half a decade later, Manquillo is now set for a reunion with Bielsa in Friday's Premier League clash against Leeds but the defender says the amount of time he spent under the Argentinian at Marseille was only brief due to Bielsa resigning in August 2015.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manquillo told NUFC TV: "I have to tell you that I only worked with Bielsa for just the two or three weeks because I'd only just gone to Marseille and that was around the time when he'd decided to leave the club.

BIELSA REUNION: For Newcastle United right back Javier Manquillo, above. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.BIELSA REUNION: For Newcastle United right back Javier Manquillo, above. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.
BIELSA REUNION: For Newcastle United right back Javier Manquillo, above. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.

"So as a result, I didn't really get to know him too well!

"But I reckon what we do all know about Bielsa is that all his teams play with such an incredibly high intensity and so I think it's going to be a very tough game for us - but it's a game that we have to win."

Newcastle signed Manquillo from Atleti in July 2017 and the defender bagged his first goal for the Magpies in last weekend's 4-1 defeat at Manchester United.

The Toon Army have picked up just one point from their first four games and sit second bottom.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manquillo added: "Whenever you lose a game, you're always unhappy, and then all you want is for the next game to come around as quickly as possible so you can pick up a win and the three points."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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.

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

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

Related topics:Marcelo BielsaNewcastle UnitedSpainLeeds