BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has said that he is “getting the feeling” that Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa will stay at the club this summer.
The Argentine boss and Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani are currently locked in talks over whether the former will have another crack at getting the club promoted, having missed out this season.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said that all the signs are pointing to Bielsa being kept on at Elland Road.
“I think Mr Bielsa will want to stay and finish the job,” he said. “I’m getting the feeling – based on what I see and hear – he is a man who doesn’t want to leave things unfinished. He is an honest and humble man.
“Andrea Radrizzani did really well to get him in the first place, but does he have the money to invest in Mr Bielsa for another season as well as in the players, as he can’t get promotion with the same players.
“It all depends on what the club can offer Mr Bielsa. Right now, his stock is high and, when your stock is high as a manager, people and other clubs will look at him.
“He will want to see the board doing everything to make the team better for next season. How far are the club willing to go keep him for another season?”
OPINION
Bielsa staying at Elland Road is the news all Leeds United fans want to hear. He was so good in his first season with the Whites, taking a side that finished 13th in the Championship in the 2017/18 season to the verge of the play-off final. Yes, there will be some fans who claim that last season was a failure, given that the club did not go up after investing in a number of new signings. But it was always going to be tough to take Leeds from 13th into the Premier League. At least there has been progress since Bielsa has come in – and significant progress at that. What Leeds must not do now is let the Argentine go. They have a base to build on this summer and it would all come falling down if the manager was to go. But if he stays, there is every chance Leeds can go one better next season and reach the play-off final, and maybe even the Premier League.