OPINION
Leeds United fans will not enjoy a report claiming that manager Marcelo Bielsa has been sounded out by relegated La Liga club Girona.
According to Catalunya Radio, as written out by Sport, Bielsa has emerged as a managerial target by Girona after it was confirmed on Monday that Eusebio Sacristán has left his role at the Spanish club.
Girona have been relegated from La Liga after finishing four points shy of safety this season and there is no doubt that they will push hard to return to the Spanish top-flight at the first time of asking in the 2019/20 campaign.
It is understandable to see that Bielsa has emerged on their radar as he is widely respected in Spain after a successful stint at Athletic Bilbao and has done an exemplary job at Leeds despite their failure to reach the Championship play-off final.
Leeds finished third in the Championship this season without Bielsa making massive changes to the playing squad.
The Argentine made good use of the loan system, transformed fringe players from last season and also promoted youth players to get the best out of a squad that had disappointed under the leaderships of Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom.
It is a no-brainer for Girona to want Bielsa – but why should that be a concern for Leeds fans?
Around 44 per cent of Girona is owned by the City Football Group, who are backed financially by billionaire [Mirror] Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the man more famously known for owning Manchester City.
There is no doubt that Sheikh Mansour will want to protect his investment in Girona and that could mean that the Catalan club will push the boat out when it comes to hiring their next manager.
Bielsa will no doubt be seen as a sure fire way for Girona to win an instant return to La Liga and prying him away from Leeds might not be too difficult amid the uncertainty that surrounds his future at Elland Road.
The Yorkshire Evening Post has recently reported that Leeds have already agreed with Bielsa that he can leave Elland Road “if he was no longer happy”, and the chance to possibly return to Spain and try to achieve what he couldn’t with the Whites might be an attractive option for him – especially because money talks.