Insider Dean Jones has claimed he would not be surprised to see Marcelo Bielsa walk away from Leeds United in the summer at the end of his current deal.
The football journalist was speaking on the latest edition of Touchline Talk following the Whites’ latest defeat during the week at Anfield.
It was yet another heavy defeat for Leeds on Wednesday as Liverpool helped themselves to six goals on the night, which saw Bielsa’s side become the worst defence in the Premier League in terms of goals conceded.
It has been a complete contrast to the form Leeds showed last season, with the West Yorkshire club now battling for their top-flight status with just 13 games remaining.
Bielsa has now been in the dugout of Elland Road for almost four years, though he is yet to sign a new deal – and Jones feels this may be his last season in Yorkshire.
He said: “I think there’s a good chance [he leaves], yeah. And I think that this is different to last year. Leeds were comfortable with the situation a year ago and they were comfortable waiting on Bielsa. It was all in his court at that point, right? And Leeds were doing well.
“But a year on from that, Leeds aren’t doing that well. And they’ve only got one style of play, and yes, when it works it’s great. But there’s not that depth there. And Leeds have to decide what they’re going to do. Because even if Bielsa stays – what’s he staying for, another year? It means that they’re just going to prolong the agony of having to make these changes in another year’s time.”
TIF Thoughts on Marcelo Bielsa’s future at Leeds United…
Bielsa left it late last summer to confirm he would renew his deal with Leeds, but that came on the back of an impressive return to the Premier League.
This time around, the Argentine boss is facing his side being relegated back to the Championship, and going by their current form, they would surely accept a 17th-placed finish right now.
We do therefore question whether Bielsa would look to call it a day at Elland Road whichever way their season finishes. For a manager who does not typically stay long at his respective clubs, has Bielsa taken Leeds as far as he can?
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