OPINION
Leeds fans will be looking for some good news at the moment and it’s been provided by Phil Hay, senior reporter at the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Much has been written about maverick manager Marcelo Bielsa this season. He’s put Leeds on the map but, more importantly, he’s put the club on the brink of a return to the Premier League.
They might have to do it the hard way after two defeats over the Easter break, but they’re guaranteed a play-off spot and so they’re potentially two wins away from the top-flight.
However, what happens if they miss out?
Much has been written about whether Bielsa would stay if Leeds didn’t get promoted. Not least in a Daily Mail article that said he would be likely to leave if Leeds faced another season in the Championship.
However, writing in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Hay has painted a much more optimistic picture, claiming Leeds will look to trigger an option to keep Bielsa at Elland Road next season irrespective of promotion.
“The club have the option to retain him next season if they fail to win promotion and, on the basis of his impact, would look to do so if Bielsa feels he has another Championship year in him,” Hay wrote.
“Both sides are still hoping that promotion to the Premier League locks the Argentinian in for another 12 months automatically.”
Leeds couldn’t force Bielsa to stay and if he wants out after one season in the Championship, they won’t stand in his way.
However, Bielsa has been much more than a manager this season. He really seems to have fallen for Leeds, knows the limitations and seems to relish the challenge of using his talents to overcome any weaknesses.
What he’s done at Elland Road has been seriously impressive and if, just if, Leeds don’t win promotion this season, we’re hoping that he’ll take on the Championship once more, with a greater knowledge of what’s needed and the players he might need to finally get them promoted.
Leeds was always going to be a long-term project and Bielsa has put all the pieces of the puzzle in place this season. Andrea Radrizzani will surely do all he can to hold onto Bielsa and the contract option makes it a very real possibility that Bielsa-ball is here to stay.