Leeds United have been handed a major boost in their hopes of bringing Marcelo Bielsa in as their new manager after financial terms were agreed for his signing, according to the reliable Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist, who has established himself as one of the most revered reporters covering events at Elland Road, states that the Argentine boss is happy to accept the monetary offer the Whites have tabled in negotiations, and that talks now centre on the way the club will move forward under his stewardship.
Money won't be an issue for Marcelo Bielsa. Happy with the package Leeds are offering. But still negotiating over plans, infrastructure and the way he wants the club to function under him. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 11, 2018
The report states that talks now focus on issues such as the plans the club has set out for the future and how they are going to work together to achieve the goals set out.
Opinion
Bielsa, in the nicest way possible, is a controlling coach and will want nearly everything done his way. If Andrea Radrizzani and the rest of the Leeds board are unwilling to meet his demands, then there will be no deal done, no matter the sort of money they are willing to offer him. He will have studied the club from top to bottom, picking out its strengths and weaknesses and setting out both a short and long term plan to get it to the level at which he wants to see it. Now it is up to those involved in negotiations to try and figure out the best way to turn ambition into reality, and it could mean some serious spending, especially if he wants improvements made to the training facilities and the like. Still, this is why Leeds went for Bielsa – they wanted to be ambitious and bring in a top name coach, and they could quite literally have to pay the price.