How new Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa taught his players the value of money

There is never a dull moment at Leeds United and the Yorkshire club’s new manager has already sprung a surprise to teach his players the value of money.

Marcelo Bielsa is set to take charge of his first competitive Whites match at Elland Road today as Stoke come to town to kick off their Championship fixtures.

Fans up and down the country are excited about the start of the new season and the chance to follow their team’s fortunes for another long campaign.

But being a football supporter doesn’t come cheap these days and former Lazio boss Bielsa, an inspiration to Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, sympathises with supporters.

He worked out that it takes a Leeds fan an average of three hours’ work to earn enough money to attend one of their matches.

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Even at Championship level, wages are far beyond the wildest dreams of the average worker and it can be easy for players to lose a sense of perspective.

Bielsa doesn’t want that to happen at Leeds and came up with an idea to try and keep his team grounded.

He had his players out picking up litter at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground for 180 minutes to replicate the effort required by United’s fans to bag a ticket.

Leeds have yet to return to the Premier League after 14 years outside the top flight, however they now have a manager with proven pedigree and a penchant for unorthodox coaching methods.