Revealed: official details of Marcelo Bielsa's renovations at Leeds United's training ground
Building work has been continuing apace at Thorp Arch after the head coach made a series of suggestions this summer
A general view of Thorp Arch, Leeds United's training ground (Image: Joe Mewis)
Building work has been continuing apace at Thorp Arch after the head coach made a series of suggestions this summer
Official details of Marcelo Bielsa’s renovations at Leeds United’s training ground have been revealed by Leeds City Council.
The head coach, who had dormitories installed at Lille’s training ground for players to sleep on site, has called for an extensive programme of renovations at Thorp Arch.
Among the series of modifications being made at the training base is the erection of a two-storey modular building in the existing car park.
Any Thorp Arch visitor will have seen this building is already in place, but the plans reveal the exact make-up of its interior and how it may be used.
Exterior view of the two-storey modular building erected at Thorp Arch in 2018
Exterior view of the two-storey modular building erected at Thorp Arch in 2018 (Image: Britcab Ltd)
The ground floor is dominated by two training rooms, with a separate meeting room and toilets.
The largest room on the first floor has been set aside for the club’s coaches, which has two administration offices and a kitchen adjoining.
On the opposite side of the first floor there is a dedicated office for the club’s academy manager Adam Underwood and separate rooms for education and strength and conditioning.
While the modular building forms one part of Bielsa’s proposals, there is expected to be a second, separate planning application for changes within the main building at Thorp Arch.
First floor plan of two-storey modular building installed at Thorp Arch in 2018 (Image: Britcab Ltd)
Aside from broad information provided by managing director Angus Kinnear last month and a basic acknowledgement from Bielsa, there has been scant, specific detail about the modifications.
In his programme notes ahead of September 22’s clash with Birmingham City, Kinnear said: “An extensive programme of renovations is underway to facilitate Marcelo’s training philosophy.
“These renovations include new buildings to provide the first team and academy with more dedicated facilities and dormitory and clubhouse spaces to make the training ground more like the players’ home than their workplace.â€
Ground floor plan of two-storey modular building installed at Thorp Arch in 2018 (Image: Britcab Ltd)
On September 27, Bielsa told the media: “I never impose my point of view because we are here for a short time.
“All head coaches are in a club for a short time. I just tell the club what kind of infrastructures the big clubs have. This club has extraordinary infrastructures. If you see the pitches, they are a miracle.
“I don't want people to think I impose my point of view to the club, that's not the case. I make suggestions and then the club decides if it wants to invest in the infrastructures or not.
“When I arrived to the club the players were receiving a very good service. I proposed some small changes and then the club decides if it wants to make the changes or not.
“The club is willing to give additional facilities to the players.
Bird's eye view of where the two-storey modular building has been installed at Thorp Arch (Image: Google Maps)
“When you are a professional footballer you need to rest and you need to be together with your team-mates and this belongs to the profession of being a footballer.â€
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