Carlton Palmer discusses Marcelo Bielsa, wants different manager at Leeds instead

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Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly in talks over becoming Leeds’ next manager.

Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Radio Station Proper Sport that he is unsure over the potential appointment of Marcelo Bielsa, and said he would rather Leeds chose Mick McCarthy.

BBC Sport claim Leeds are in talks with former Argentina, Lazio and Marseille manager Bielsa, who was last in charge of French side Lille before being sacked in November 2017.

Owner Andrea Radrizzani is on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Paul Heckingbottom last month, which will see Leeds have a third manager in charge in 2018 already – after Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen in February.

Bielsa is currently the front runner to take over at Elland Road, but Palmer is unsure the Argentine manager’s methods would suit the Championship, and believes appointing proven second-tier boss McCarthy would be the “perfect fit”.

“I’m not convinced,” Palmer said, when asked about Bielsa. “His style has not worked at his last few clubs. He’s well renowned in the game in being a very good coach, no question. He likes to play high tempo, attacking football.

“He likes to win the ball back, when they lose possession, very quickly. He won’t be able to bring the players in at Leeds to adapt the side, that’s my big worry about Bielsa. He has no idea what the Championship is about.

“Absolutely [when asked about McCarthy]. I’m a big admirer of Mick, he knows what he’s doing, he knows about the league. The fans would gravitate towards his honesty and his straightforwardness. No nonsense, in the ilk of Billy Bremner. He’s the perfect fit.”

Bielsa is way out in front at the Bookies, with SkyBet pricing the former Chile boss at 1/4 to take over at Elland Road while ex-Ipswich Town manager McCarthy is third favourite at 9/1.

Claudio Ranieri remains second favourite at 5/1, while a whole host of other names including Steve Bruce, Darren Ferguson and Carlos Carvalhal are in the mix – as well as former Leeds player David Hopkin.