Marcelo Bielsa has agreed to become an honorary president of an overseas Leeds United supporters group. The Argentinian, who famously guided the Whites to promotion to the Premier League in 2020 after a 16-year absence, has accepted an invitation to become president of Leeds United Iberia.
The umbrella group, which was established last year, brings together fans across the Iberian Peninsula. Martin Bland, the chairman of the fans group, has revealed Bielsa has accepted an offer to become their first honorary president.
In a letter to members, Bland wrote: "Leeds United Iberia was set up in the summer of 2024 to bring together Leeds fans from across the whole of the Iberian Peninsula, from Portugal in the west to Spain and the Balearic islands in the east, and from Andorra in the north to Gibraltar in the south, under one region umbrella. Such an ambitious, exciting, high profile project requires an equally ambitious, exciting, high profile leader. So it is with great honour and privilege that we're able to announce the first honorary president of Leeds United Iberia.
"In his time at Leeds United, Marcelo created a unique spirit and identity for our club and for the whole city of Leeds and with him as our figurehead we have ambitions to do the same for Leeds fans spread wide across the Iberian Peninsula to bring them together and to provide strong and visible reputation of them to Leeds United. In our first season as a group we attracted membership from Leeds fans living in Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Gibraltar, and already have new interest from fans in Barcelona and Benidorm.
"In April, we secured tickets for a game at Elland road and organised a joint trip for fans from across the group, and we aim to do the same again every season - especially exciting now that Leeds United has gained promotion back to the Premier League.
"We would like to send our profound thanks to Marcelo for accepting our invite to become our first president, and we look forward to meeting new Leeds fans all marching on together from across Iberia."
Bielsa, who also guided the Whites to a top-10 finish in the top flight, is now boss of Uruguay's international side.
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