Marcelo Bielsa has praised the role of Carlos Corberan at Leeds United, insisting that the club’s under-23 coach is very important to the club.  

Since his arrival at Elland Road, Bielsa has worked closely with Corberan, with Leeds’ under-23 coach often spotted on the bench alongside the Argentinian in the Championship.

Corberan has worked closely with Leeds’ academy over the last year, with significant improvements made since the 35-year-old linked up with the club’s under-23s.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about the impact of Corberan, Bielsa has been full of praise for the coach who is helping a number of academy players progress into the first-team: “He is a very important person for us because he brings to the team players we need and players who come from the academy.

"Players in the academy are a very important ingredient for the team.

"We already have in the first-team players from the academy."

The latest of Leeds’ academy players to progress into the first-team at Elland Road is Jamie Shackleton, with Bielsa putting faith in the midfielder on Saturday afternoon against Derby County.

The 18-year-old stepped off the bench to replace Mateusz Klich, with Bielsa more than happy to hand Shackleton a chance due to Leeds’ lack of midfield options.

Since then, Shackleton has agreed fresh terms with Leeds, signing a new contract that runs until the summer of 2021.

Now, Shackleton looks set to make his full debut in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with Bolton Wanderers.

The Verdict

In his year at Elland Road, Corberan has gained the respect of plenty of Leeds supporters, with his under-23s in fantastic form.

A number of them, including Tom Pearce, Paudie O’Connor and Ryan Edmondson, have stepped up into the first-team, with Corberan a key link between the academy and first-team.

Bielsa is right to publically praise the 35-year-old, who is providing him with good options for the first-team.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!