The first team squad at Leeds United are in for a shock if Marcelo Bielsa takes charge as he demands an early start to pre-season in negotiations, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The report states that the Argentine boss is in advanced negotiations over taking the vacant seat in the Elland Road dugout and that were he to sign on as Paul Heckingbottom’s replacement, he would want the senior stars to end their holidays early and report for duty as he looks to run the rule over what he would have at his disposal.
The current start date for pre-season preparations is said to be the 25th June but that the players could be told to return a week early to prove themselves to the new man in charge.
Opinion
While many people say the life of a football player must be easy, that cannot be the case for those turning out at Elland Road. The constant speculation over what is going to happen next puts immense pressure on their shoulders, not to mention the demanding nature of the fans. While cutting their holidays a week short might be something of an inconvenience, Bielsa is a demanding coach and will not take any slackers – so this could be the week that makes or breaks their future at the club. If they fail to impress over their first seven days under the new man in charge, then they could well find themselves up for sale as the Argentinian boss looks to conduct an overhaul of those he has at his disposal. After last summer’s host of changes, it looks as though it could be another window where the squad is completely switched up heading into the new season.