Marcelo Bielsa could be back in management with Athletic Bilbao in the near future after leaving Leeds United.
In true Bielsa fashion, the Argentine has been doing all sorts of research ahead of taking this role at the Basque club.
Indeed, Bielsa has watched 90 Bilbao matches at a number of age groups as he prepared for a return to San Mames, but if the presidential elections at the club don’t go as planned, all of that work could be for nothing.
According to Marca, if Jon Uriate or Ricardo Bakarla win the elections, they will be appointing former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde as the team’s new manager, while if Inaki Arechabaleta wins, Bielsa will get the job.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time that Bielsa and Valverde’s paths have crossed.
According to The Telegraph, Leeds United actually shortlisted Valverde earlier this year as a potential replacement for Bielsa before they eventually appointed Jesse Marsch, and now, Valverde could beat Bielsa to his next job.
To be honest, Valverde is probably the safer bet for Bilbao at this point. As the younger manager, he could build a longer-term project at the club, and his successes at Barcelona speak for themselves, winning two La Liga titles with La Blaugrana.
Bielsa, of course, knows Bilbao well having managed them in the early 2010s, but as the old adage goes, you should never go back in football.
With Bilbao’s elections just two days away, this is certainly a situation to keep an eye on.
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