Roma are monitoring Marcelo Bielsa’s contract situation at Leeds United, according to reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The reputable Italian reporter, who works with the likes of Sky Sports and is among the most respected in the business, claims on his personal website that the Italian giants are now searching for a new manager, having appointed Claudio Ranieri as boss until the end of the season back in March.
Bielsa is reportedly third on the shortlist behind Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini and Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri after guiding Leeds to a third-place finish in the Championship. However, the Argentine failed to win promotion after they crashed out of the play-offs at the hands of Derby County last Wednesday.
Talks are said to be underway between Leeds and Bielsa but nothing has yet been confirmed and the 63-year-old could depart Elland Road.
OPINION
Losing Bielsa would be catastrophic for Leeds United. They played some tremendous football last season and Bielsa successfully implemented an effective style of play. Losing Bielsa would throw all of their good work and progression out of the window and they would really be back to square one again. Roma are of course a giant in Italy and an offer would be very hard to turn down – Leeds must act quickly and resolve the contract situation. Leeds should be challenging again next season but without Bielsa it’s very doubtful that they will be able to and they must back him in the summer in terms of investment. Leeds must show ambition and if they do, Bielsa may still be in charge next season. The contract situation needs to be resolved or else they will face a battle to keep him – plenty of teams will be aware of the situation.