Leeds United are reportedly closing in on Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United are set to appoint a new manager in the coming days, with Sky Sports claiming that talks with Marcelo Bielsa are now at an ‘advanced stage’.
The Whites are yet again in the market for a new manager having sacked Paul Heckingbottom on Friday afternoon, just four months after luring him from Barnsley as Thomas Christiansen’s replacement.
Rather than go for a tested Championship manager, Leeds appear to be splashing the cash and securing an incredible appointment in Bielsa, one of the most tactically innovative managers of his generation.
The 62-year-old has been out of work since leaving Lille in December but could now have a first crack at English football, in a stunning move from owner Andrea Radrizzani to bring the Argentinian to Elland Road.
Bielsa is an experienced and single-minded coach, and comments from his time with Lille suggest that he would want almost sole control over signings at Elland Road.
As quoted by Marca in 2014, Bielsa raged as the 12-player shortlist he submitted to Marseille – Gonzalo Jara, Karim Rekik, Maurizio Isla, Martin Montoya, Coke Andujar, Javier Manquillo, Serge Aurier, Gary Medel, Cristian Tello, Lucas Ocampos and Benjamin Stambouli – which was ultimately ignored.
Bielsa felt he had been lied to by Marseille as the players he wanted weren’t brought in, and that should make Leeds stand up and take notice of Bielsa’s demanding nature.
Director of football Victor Orta has taken charge of transfers with Leeds, but the Spaniard may have to relax some of his power in order to appease Bielsa when it comes to bringing in players – and Leeds fans may encourage given Orta’s terrible record so far.
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