Sources: Bournemouth in advanced talks to appoint ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa, deal could be done in days
Bournemouth are in advanced talks to appoint ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa as their new manager, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League club are confident of reaching a full agreement with the Argentine, 67, following weekend negotiations.
It is believed that Bournemouth have offered Bielsa the job to become their permanent manager, a position vacant since the sacking of Scott Parker earlier this season.
Gary O’Neil has been in interim charge since Parker’s departure and has been a candidate to land the job full-time.
But Bournemouth have instead set their sights on the marquee capture of Bielsa, who
The Cherries went six games unbeaten under temporary boss O’Neil but suffered four consecutive league defeats before Saturday’s surprise 3-0 win over Everton.
It leaves the club 14th in the Premier League, although only three points above the relegation zone.
Bielsa, who has previously managed the Argentina and Chile national teams, is a maverick figure who is revered at Leeds.
The 67-year-old famously led United back into the Premier League after a 16-year absence in July 2020, and managed them for four years before he was sacked in February.
Leeds were renowned for their unique attacking style as well as extraordinary fitness during Bielsa’s reign.
But there was also criticism of the team being too open and easy for top Premier League sides to attack and the Argentine was dismissed following a streak of four consecutive losses across which Leeds conceded 17 goals.
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