What Radrizzani has told friends about Bielsa future at Leeds - Sources

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

01 May 2019, 8:59 am

Andrea Radrizzani is confident Marcelo Bielsa will be manager of Leeds United next season regardless of whether they get promoted, Football Insider can reveal.

The Argentine signed a two-year contract when he joined last summer although the second year is activated only if the club take up their option to do so.

This is triggered automatically if Leeds are promoted this season, although that possibility hangs in the balance as the club prepare for the end of season play-offs after missing out on a top-two finish.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that Radrizzani has told friends he expects Bielsa to stay even if the club miss out on the holy grail of promotion start a 16th consecutive campaign outside of the Premier League.

The owner's confidence is borne out of the fact that the manager is already discussing plans with the club hierarchy for next season, including transfer targets and continued alterations of the club's Thorp Arch training base.

Leeds’ points tally of 82 has not been enough to secure automatic promotion but one further point against bottom club Ipswich Town on Sunday will guarantee third place and a play-off semi-final against the team finishing in sixth.

That would avoid a two-legged clash against in-form duo West Brom and Aston Villa, who won 10 matches in a row until Leeds brough their stunning run to an end in last Sunday's explosive 1-1 draw.

In other Leeds United news, Marcelo Bielsa has high first-team hopes for loaned-out 22-year-old who has caught his eye.

Leeds United