According to the latest reports from the Daily Mail, Leeds United can lose the services of Marcelo Bielsa in the summer if they fail to achieve promotion. The manager recently refused to confirm that he would stay at the club beyond this season. It could all depend on which club might want him and what kind of backing he will get from the Leeds United owners if he fails to achieve promotion.
If the Whites go on to achieve promotion only then Bielsa’s stay will be confirmed at Elland road as there is a clause in his contract which guarantees Bielsa’s continuation as a manager.
The Argentine tactician was asked about his future recently and said, ”It’s not up to me, and I don’t have any more response to that. It’s not a decision we have to take now, and it’s not the right time to give my opinion.”
It is believed that Bielsa is on a contract where he earns £3.4m annually. The club took a different route to promotion as instead of investing in players; they decided to spend the money on the manager. The result is definitely positive as the Whites finished 13th last season and are now likely to finish third. But it can all come crashing down if the Whites fail to win the playoffs.
Chances of United keeping hold of him without promotion?
Bielsa was a forgotten man after he had underwhelming stints with the likes of Marseille, Lille and Lazio. However, his recent resurrection in the modern day football with Leeds have caught the eye of everyone, and we think that there would be no shortage of opportunities for him if the Whites fail to move to the Premier League.
Certain English top flight clubs might come in for him next season, and it could be tough for the Whites to keep hold of him for another year on that kind of salary without the riches of the Premier League.
What United and the board could do is back him in the upcoming transfer market if they fail to achieve promotion as that is the only way he could be tempted to continue his project at Leeds United. With a very limited and average squad, the Whites were leading the race to get to the Premier League through the automatic promotion spots. But a loss in form in the past month has cost them that opportunity.
Bielsa must be given assurance and money to let him sign players. However, even that might not be enough in the end as some top-flight clubs could come in for him after the work which he has done with Leeds irrespective of whether they achieve promotion or not.
