Mirror journalist David Anderson has told Give Me Sport that Leeds United are desperate to keep Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road beyond the summer. It is the belief of some, that Bielsa might be in his final season in Yorkshire.
Taking over in 2018, Bielsa is approaching four years as Leeds manager. He has clocked up 165 games in charge, more than any of his other clubs or countries during his long managerial CV – including Bilbao, and Argentina.
Newell’s Old Boys sporting director Julio Saldana recently said that his old club – where he both played and managed, and is considered an icon – would love him back. He is contracted at Leeds until the end of the season.
Bielsa prefers to work on a 12-month rolling contract, and then makes a decision at the end of the season. Turning 67 this summer, he may feel it is time to move on. Anderson, though, details the stance of Leeds.
“He’s very much a 24/7 manager. You usually have an idea of what they want to do, and certainly, Leeds’ position as it stands is they want him to carry on. So, as things stand, Leeds will want him to stay,” Anderson said.
Leeds want Bielsa stay: But does Bielsa want to keep going?
Bielsa has earned legendary status. He was the man that took Leeds back to the Premier League after 16 years in the wilderness – doing it in an eye-catching, event-filled, exciting way. He has reinstalled love in Leeds.
Every season, Bielsa has seen growth. In 2017-18, Leeds finished 13th in the Championship. Bielsa took them to the play-off semi-finals, then Championship winners, then ninth in the Premier League last season.
So, with Leeds languishing just above a relegation scrap and with every danger they could slip into that – after a 1-0 loss to Newcastle – Bielsa may feel his time is up this summer. It is an intriguing one.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
