Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United contract is up in the summer, and with the Whites struggling in the league, it may be time to say goodbye to the Argentine.
It will be a sad day for many Leeds supporters once Bielsa leaves, but at the age of 66, he’s entering the twilight of his career.
Fortunately, Leeds already have plans in place for if Bielsa does go, and they reportedly have three standout names on their shortlist to replace him.
Jesse Marsch is considered the front-runner for the job, but one interesting name on the list is Carlos Corberan.
The Spaniard is a manager that knows Leeds well, having worked for the Whites as Bielsa’s assistant and U23s manager before leaving for Huddersfield Town.
However, aside from his pedigree at Leeds, another interesting aspect of this move would be his existing relationship with one of United’s long-term transfer targets.
Cast your mind back to this summer and you’ll remember that Leeds were heavily linked with a move for Lewis O’Brien.
The Whites were in for the midfielder, and Victor Orta even admitted that the only reason he didn’t join was because of a difference in valuations between the two clubs.
However, if Corberan heads to Elland Road, Leeds’ interest in O’Brien could well be reignited.
O’Brien is one of the 38-year-old’s most important players at the John Smith’s Stadium, while Corberan has waxed-lyrical about him in the past, labelling him ‘very special’.
Orta is already a fan so he won’t need much convincing, and with O’Brien starting 32 league games for Huddersfield this season, it’s fair to assume that Corberan likes him as well.
Factor in that Leeds are already very light in the midfield, and you have the perfect recipe for a move.
Don’t be shocked if this player ends up playing for Leeds if Corberan replaces Bielsa in the summer.
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