It has been a fraught few days. A 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
A social media storm. An apology from the players.
The director of football and head coach leaving. The arrival of Allardyce. Gradually and then suddenly, everything has come to a head.
The sight of the Leeds players ignoring a waving youngster as they left their hotel resonated with a restless public.
It was just a snapshot but it struck a chord.
This was seen as proof that a team that had once connected with the community had lost its way.
There are good people at Leeds and they will seek to make amends for that incident.
But with fans wondering what has become of their club, the overarching shift in ethos is harder to explain away. From Bielsa to Allardyce. For some, it is just too on the nose.
Bielsa recalibrated the club and supporters revelled in the exciting football that came with it. Leeds were better to watch, better to support.
Heads were high. Pride as well as Premier League status was restored. Leeds were united. A city was reignited.
It feels a long time ago now. After last season’s escape, erosion has led to collapse.
Leeds fans have been brought to their knees and the fear will be that this represents the killing stroke.
The prospect of relegation under Allardyce looms. It was not supposed to be like this.
They say the seventh stage of grief is acceptance and the mere act of turning to Allardyce, 68, will be viewed by some supporters as an ideological defeat.
Long seen as Bielsa’s polar opposite, the truth is more nuanced than that but turning to him is still symbolic.
Leeds had embraced what Bielsa was selling, but this move – this reverse Burnley – sees them trade that idea for another one entirely. When many had bought into what came before, it is easy to see why they might feel they are losing more than just matches.
So much for the legacy of Bielsa.
It must feel more like a fever dream now.
Allardyce has earned his reputation for guiding teams to safety. Pep Guardiola once described him as a genius because of it.
Throughout his career, he has consistently left teams higher up the table than where he found them. People pay good money for that.
Nevertheless, the concern will be that it is some time since his best work.
Allardyce’s only job in five years ended two years ago.
West Brom were two points from safety when he was appointed in December.
They were relegated in May, finishing 13 points adrift.
It has taken a desperate series of decisions for Leeds to reach the point where this could be considered a viable solution.
Bielsa himself cannot be excused his own part in the disintegration.
Things unravelled late in his reign. What has followed has been worse.
