Ambition and competitive spirit was growing in the hearts of Leeds United’s under-23 team, but it was the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa which really lit the touch paper for success.
Carlos Corberan , the coach on the touchline for every second of the development’s side campaign, pointed to the link, instigated by Bielsa , between the first team and under-23s .
While there was the cornerstone for success last season, under Corberan’s tutelage, the Spaniard said it was Bielsa’s influence which really set ambitions for the Premier League Professional Development League in motion.
On Monday, after finishing first in Group North, the Whites clinched the overall national title by beating Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties after a two-hour stalemate.
Of the 14 players used in the PDL final, 12 have been included in Bielsa’s first-team squads, eight have seen pitch time and six of those included senior debuts.
“The team from the last year have been working more and we start to grow as a real competitive squad,” said Corberan.
“It was something very positive, but, at the same time, Marcelo arrived here and the connection with the first team, for the 23s, have a connection.
“Every day they are involved with his demands. Every day they are training with high intensity.
“At the end you have to start to think to be ambitious and if the first team is competing for a high level of challenges you have to do the same as under-23s.
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“The formation of our players is the same: try to win every time. We try to develop the winning mentality of our players.
“They have shown they have developed this part. That is one of the keys in football.”
The match was not the most entertaining spectacle for the 7,818 who poured into Elland Road for free to watch the game.
No goals from two hours of football led to penalties, which were taken in front of a deserted South Stand.
While Mateusz Bogusz hit the post with United’s first, he was followed by scores from Pascal Struijk, Ryan Edmondson, Kun Temenuzhkov and Jack Clarke.
Asked how the takers were decided, Corberan said: “In these moments the most important thing is the confidence of the players, who wants to live the moment and who is able to enjoy one moment that for some players is high pressure.
“For others it is an opportunity or challenge to show they are ready to do it.
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“The most important is this: to have players that want to be able to do this, to live the moment and make people enjoy with their finish of their penalty.”
