Marcelo Bielsa has insisted Leeds will cope with the “emotion and passion” of their make-or-break promotion campaign.
The United chief admits the pressure of getting Leeds back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years was why he took the job.
The Yorkshiremen are back in control of their Championship destiny after a serious wobble in results blew an 11 point cushion to the play off zone.
After a win against Bristol City last weekend United are three points ahead of third placed Fulham, as Reading visit Elland Road.
Asked about the desperation of the home crowd to see the job done, Bielsa said: “How do I manage the situation emotionally? Our jobs, we have to know them. For every situation we face.
“We have to win the next match. Every match deserves a phrase that is so common: “We have to win!”....
“What I realise is the wish of people of Leeds, their desire. I cannot feel what the rest of the country feels about Leeds.
“But from the first day here, I knew the people of Leeds wished this.”
The former Chile, Bilbao, Marseille and Lille coach added: “I have experienced this passion before. There is something there that makes me feel this job is very attractive. I love it when I am in contact with the passion of supporters.
“It is a situation that makes a difference between people who work in football for money, and supporters. We get paid to do this job, and the fans the only thing for them is to love this club.
"They only thing they receive in exchange is emotions. The support of the fans is the best thing in football.”
Bielsa has tackled doubts about how his side can maintain the on-field intensity for which his Leeds have become renown. With 13 games to go he has singled out the marathon man in his squad who has no problems.
Mat Klich is his midfield powerhouse and Bielsa said: “Sometimes there are players where playing a lot of matches in a row makes them weak. Others improve.
“Klitch is a player with very many skills physically. The value of him, he cannot do better.
“He makes more intense moments, and is a player who makes more movements at maximal speed. His value is how he prepares for the match mentally. This is a fact that makes him run, and run more. He is hungry."
Bielsa has also backed popular “playmaker” Pablo Hernandez to be influential during the run in.
He has four goals this term, compared with 12 during the near missed last season and Bielsa said: “There are different ways of measuring the level of one player. Goals he scored, passes he gave, how many matches he plays. In this sense maybe he does not have the same level. But the impact he has for the team is still high. When he plays well the team plays well.
“When he is in a good fitness level he plays well and so does the team. It depends on whether he is injured or not. If he is injured he needs to recover and get fitness back.
“He likes to play as a play-maker not a right winger. To play as a winger is different to being in the middle. Pablo has more impact as a play-maker.
"He is a player who makes chances for his team mates. He can receive the ball at any time, always close to the ball when it is in front on him or behind and Pablo finds that position positive. He moves the ball well.”
“Reading beat Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, their first win in eight games and Bielsa said: “A team with very good players, especially in the midfield. They have a creative style of play. They have power in attack.”
