Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (Getty Images)
As per The Westmorland Gazette, Leeds United are planning to hand manager Marcelo Bielsa a new contract that would keep him at the club as a reward for helping the side secure Premier League promotion.
Bielsa, 64, started his managerial career with Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina as an assistant manager. He then went on to manage several clubs in Mexico and Argentina and also was the manager of the Argentine national team.
However, he came to prominence during his tenure as the boss of Chile national team, helping them qualify for the 2010 World Cup. They eventually made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The Argentine then helped Athletic Bilbao reach the Copa del Rey final and the Europa League final in the 2011/12 season but lost on both occasions. He then had spells in France and Italy before joining Championship side Leeds United in the summer of 2018.
The 64-year-old’s arrival at Elland Road got off to a good start as they won the opening four Championship games consecutively for the first time in their history. However, they failed to get promoted to the top-flight at the end of the last season despite finishing third in the league table.
However, a lot had changed since then and they started off the 2019/20 campaign on a good note. Though the Whites faced a slight dip in form in between, they were consistent. The players Bielsa had brought in on loan made an impact in the long run.
Jack Harrison, Helder Costa, and Ben White are some of the players who really flourished under the guidance of the Argentine tactician. And attacking midfielder Pablo Hernandez is one player who has defied age this season.
Bielsa has managed to get the best out of his side as they have been brilliant in both attacking and defensive situations. While the attacking unit has scored 77 goals, Leeds’ defence has played a crucial role in their Championship-winning campaign, conceding just 35 goals in 46 games as they boast of the best defensive record in the second-tier.
The former Argentina boss had changed the dynamics of Leeds, who finished 13th in the league prior to his arrival. And young players like Tyler Roberts and Kalvin Phillips also developed into key players under the Argentine. Thus, they should carry on with Bielsa if they are to sustain and progress in the top-flight, especially after a 16-year absence from the Premier League.
With Leeds securing promotion to the top-flight under Bielsa, it would be a step in the right direction to hand the boss a new contract. His experience would come in handy for the club in the long run and they can build something from his presence at Elland Road in the future.
