Leeds must be ‘terrified’ of losing Bielsa amid unexpected contract update – Ex-manager
Leeds United must be “absolutely terrified” of losing Marcelo Bielsa to a European giant amid talk of a new contract, according to Alex McLeish.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he could see the 65-year-old taking charge of a heavyweight club in Spain.
As reported by Argentine publication La Nacion, Bielsa is “very close” to signing a new two-year contract after crunch talks at Elland Road.
That would be a surprise as his first three Leeds contracts were all one-year deals.
The report claims Bielsa, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is among the six best-paid managers in the Premier League.
He has helped establish Leeds as one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.
The Whites currently sit 10th in their first top-flight season since the 2003/04 campaign.
McLeish suggested Bielsa’s management will have caught the eye of other “big guns” across Europe, most notably in Spain.
As such, he insisted Leeds were doing the right thing in getting him to commit before the season is over.
Asked if tying Bielsa down was the most important business Leeds could do, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah.
“They will be absolutely terrified of the big Spanish giants or somebody. Not that they’re managerless at the moment but they’re always a threat.
“As you know, at the drop of a hat, a manager can be fired. All of a sudden, they’ve already targeted the guy they want the one. If that guy is not securely tied down then there’s a wee opening there.
“You could imagine Bielsa going to one of the big guns in Spain.”
Bielsa already has experience of managing in Spain after spells at Espanyol and Atletic Bilbao.
While he spent just 12 games with the former of the sides, he oversaw 113 matches in Bilbao.
In other news, a fully-fit Leeds United star has played his last game for the club, claims pundit.