In an exclusive interview with This is Futbol, former Derby County manager Paul Jewell claims Leeds United’s hierarchy will have replacements lined up if Marcelo Bielsa decides to leave at the end of the season.
Bielsa’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season so there have been links with former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has been out of a job since leaving the Italian side in 2019.
Will Bielsa stay at Leeds?
Yes!
No!
There have been reports suggesting that Bielsa will sign a new contract at Elland Road, but it will only be another 12-month deal that will leave the club in a similar position next year.
Speaking on why Leeds will have managers lined up if Bielsa leaves in the summer and how they won’t leave it until the last minute, Jewell spoke exclusively to This is Futbol:
“The people inside the club know more about the situation than the outside world but if Bielsa is serious about leaving, then they won’t be deciding that on his last day, they’ll have a new manager lined up and will have a plan B.
“They’ll want to use plan A as that would be Bielsa staying because he is loved around these parts, but I’m sure if he does decide to leave they’ll have someone in mind.”
Bielsa was appointed manager while Leeds were in the Championship and he was the only manager able to get them back into the Premier League for the first time in 16-years.
It’s not just Bielsa that Leeds want to sign a new contract as Stuart Dallas is reportedly in talks to get a new deal after his impressive season.