The first team at Leeds United will not be called in for an early start to pre-season in what is a shock u-turn from Marcelo Bielsa’s reported demands, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The reporter, who writes for the Sun, claims on his personal Twitter account that the Whites were set to have kicked off their preparations over the summer early, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, in what was said to be a demand of Marcelo Bielsa in crucial negotiations to him becoming the new manager, but that such plans have been pulled.
It is now stated that training will begin on the original date of Monday 25th June, with Bielsa still yet to be announced as the club’s new manager.
Opinion
It seemed as though Bielsa really wanted to have the players in a week earlier than scheduled in a bid to see what he was working with but it does not seem to be going that way any more. Perhaps the Argentine boss already has a good handle on what he needs to do over the summer transfer window, and will look to reinforce his squad over the next week and a half before taking charge, or maybe there was some sort of behind the scenes backlash from the players, who will no doubt be enjoying their time off after the stress of last season. Either way, the players look to be returning on the arranged day, and Bielsa seems on the verge of signing a deal to become their new boss. Will he have the desire effect? His experience across Europe is difficult to match in the Championship, and he will no doubt get the very best of what he has to work with.