Former Leeds hardman Vinnie Jones has said that he thinks Marcelo Bielsa will stay at Elland Road for another season.
However, he said that Leeds had fallen short again and said that Sam Allardyce was another big name that was being “punted about” this summer.
Speculation is rife over Bielsa’s position after Leeds failed to win promotion, crashing out to Derby County in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Talking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show (talkSPORT, Monday, 7.30am), Jones said “I’m on the forum with the Leeds United trust and they sent him [Bielsa] a great letter saying what a good job he’s done, but we fell short again this season.
“There are other big names around, Big Sam is being punted about, but from what I read Leeds fans are quite happy with Bielsa and I don’t think there’s going to be a change this summer.”
OPINION
Vinnie Jones says that Leeds fell short but no-one around Leeds, either the fans or the hierarchy, is pointing the finger of blame at Bielsa. In fact, it’s more the opposite. People think that he’s worked wonders with a squad that really did fall short in the 17/18 season and everyone, from Radrizzani to the fans, is hoping that Bielsa does stay for another season. The only question mark is whether Bielsa wants to commit to another campaign in the Championship. If he doesn’t then Andrea Radrizzani will be on the lookout for the next manager but we would think that Big Sam is very far down the list, if he’s on it at all. With all due respect to Allardyce, he’s not the man to take Leeds forward with the foundations of youth in place at Elland Road. He might be a big name but fans would be up in arms. Having said that, it’s tough to see anyone who would be accepted after Bielsa, apart from Carlos Corberan, and he’s not ready to step up yet. We think Bielsa will stay but that’s as much hope than anything else. The Argentine has given so much to the Championship – it would be a much worse place without him.