Leeds United are making ‘contingency plans’ regarding Marcelo Bielsa’s successor as manager, in case he decides to leave at the end of the season.
The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future unclear
The 66-year-old is arguably experiencing his toughest spell as Whites boss at the moment, with his side languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League.
Not only that, but injuries are affecting the team’s performances badly and there is a niggling feeling that the Argentine could be coming to the end of his time at Elland Road. Bielsa signed a one-year extension last summer but is yet to commit his future beyond that point, with The Athletic’s Phil Hay having a ‘hunch’ that there will be a changing of the guard in 2022.
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The Latest: Journalist makes Bielsa claim
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that plans are in place to find a potential replacement for the 66-year-old. He outlined:
“We all know he only signs one-year deals at Leeds when he does his contract, so that’s not great for Leeds and planning ahead.
“That’s why maybe Victor Orta’s making contingency plans for the end of the season to maybe bring in a new man.”
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The Verdict: Will he stay on?
Bielsa is a tough man to second-guess, so it is hard to know whether or not he will stay put beyond next summer. It may be that he feels he has taken Leeds as far as he can, in which he might step down and allow somebody else to take the club forward.
That being said, despite the Whites’ current struggles, it would be preferable to see him stay put, given his reputation as one of the most influential managers of his generation.
Granted, his very best days may be behind him, but he remains a revered figure who can hopefully revive Leeds’ season once the spate of injuries subsides and he’s back working with a full-strength squad.
In other news, Leeds have received a potential transfer boost. Read more here.
