Noel Whelan has suggested that Leeds United will be making the best bit of business they could manage to achieve all summer if they retain the services of Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds missed out on promotion to the Premier League this season, losing to Derby County in the Championship play-off semi-finals, but the club are confident they can convince Bielsa to stay at Elland Road for next campaign, after recent talks between the Argentine and the White’s chairman Andrea Radrizzani and director of football Victor Orta, according to Football Insider.
Whelan heaped praise on Bielsa for his efforts this campaign and revealed that he believes securing the Argentine at Elland Road for a second is the best signing Leeds could make this summer.
“If Leeds can get Bielsa to stay for one more season that would be the best signing of the summer. The way he goes about his job and gets the best out of the players at his disposal, the attractiveness of the playing style, he leaves no corner unturned,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“His first season was a great effort, no doubt about that and I’m sure he has learned a lot from it that would hold him in good stead if he returns.
“If we can get a deal over the line that is absolutely key. It’s been difficult for the club and Mr Bielsa to make plans because we don’t know what league we’re going to be in next season. Keeping Bielsa will put a lot of the players’ minds at ease.”
OPINION
Whelan is correct to say that the best business Leeds can do this summer is secure the services of Bielsa for another season next term. Leeds will be needing the Argentine at Elland Road next season if they are to build on the progress made during the campaign and mount another challenge for promotion to the Premier League. Bielsa has been instrumental in improving the individual quality of most of a squad who finished mid-table the season prior to his arrival. However, as Whelan suggests it will be difficult for Leeds to plan for next term amid the uncertainty over Bielsa’s future and the club need a solution to be found sooner rather than later, so they can to begin to recruit players this summer. Leeds supporters will be hoping the club can convince the Argentine to stay on as manager and if he does commit to another year at Elland Road, the Whites will have a chance of once again competing at the top of the Championship next term.