OPINION
It appears as though Leeds United have wasted no time in securing a replacement for sacked manager Paul Heckingbottom – but have they rushed to a decision too quickly?
The Whites got rid of the former Barnsley boss less than four months after appointing him to take over from Thomas Christiansen, the Danish manager having struggled to wrestle back control after an abysmal run of form.
Heckingbottom was unable to rectify the issue, winning just four of his games in charge, and after weeks of speculation his fate was decided on Friday.
It has been claimed by Gianluca Di Marzio, the reputed Sky Sports journalist, are on the verge of appointing former Lille and Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa as the new man in the dugout, but if his Sky colleague is to be believed, they have made the wrong choice from their shortlist.
Mario Giunta stated on his personal Twitter account that Leeds had a four man list of candidates, with Bielsa named alongside Matias Almeyda, Steve Bruce and Claudio Ranieri as men the Whites were in contact with.
??? Leeds United have just sacked the manager. They’re in contact with Matias Almeyda, Marcelo Bielsa and Steve Bruce; also with Claudio Ranieri but he’s the most difficult name for them. Leeds will take a decision on next 2 days. @SkySportsNews
— Mario Giunta (@MarioGiunta) June 1, 2018
Bielsa might be the exciting, unknown quantity but when there are hopes of a Championship play-off spot at stake, it is not a gamble worth taking, as proven 12 months ago.
Of that list, the stand out name has to be Bruce, for his pedigree in the second tier is second to very few.
An expert of promotion, having secured a place in the Premier League four times with both Birmingham City and Hull City, he proved himself once again last season, taking Aston Villa to the verge of the top flight with a play-off final defeat.
With the Villans in the financial lurch and Bruce’s future up in the air, if Andrea Radrizzani and the Leeds board want that top six finish, the former Manchester United star must be top of their list over Bielsa.