I’ve been through this many times, says Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa (Picture: Tony Johnson).

The Argentinian is intent on leading the Elland Road club back to the Premier League in his first season in England.

Leeds face a two-legged semi-final against Derby County, with the first leg at Pride Park tomorrow, after being pipped to second place by Sheffield United.

“I (have) lived this kind of situation,” said former Argentina coach Bielsa when asked about tackling the play-offs for the first time.

“I am familiar with them, many times. What I can tell you is that I have been through this many times with Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Olympic games, Bilbao (in the Europa League final).

“What I can also tell you is that I lost all the finals. Apart from the Olympic Games.”

Leeds will be hoping this record is not an omen if a path can be negotiated past Derby to reach the Wembley final.

The club already have a disappointing record in the play-offs with four previous tilts at winning promotion having floundered.

Ending that run at the fifth attempt would not only seal a return to the big time, but also, Bielsa believes, bring joy to the entire city.

“I have this feeling when we think about the responsibility that we have as we have the hope of many people,” he added. “We always earn a lot of money.

“Apart from the fact that we think the impact our role has on the hopes of the more humble people.

“As poor people it is harder to have access to another kind of happiness than football and many times they don’t have many opportunities to feel proud of things like they do for their club.”

Derby manager Frank Lampard, meanwhile, believes Leeds are favourites heading into the two-legged semi-final.

“I think we are underdogs,” said the Rams’ chief, who is sweating on the fitness of Martyn Waghorn after the striker suffered an Achilles problem. “That is a challenge that we will have to accept and take on,

“We finished three places behind Leeds for a reason. They beat us twice.

“The early one in the season I think was a difficult one for us because we were trying to make some changes and it was early and they punished us for it. I respect them hugely, we prepare as we would for any team.”