Marcelo Bielsa is likely to stay with Leeds United if they win promotion, although it’s unclear what he will do if the Whites don’t go up.
The Argentinian has transformed the Yorkshire club since taking over in 2018, as he took the team to the play-offs last season and they lead the way in the current campaign. Therefore, Bielsa is a hero to Leeds fans right now but there are doubts about his long-term future, with his current contract set to expire at the end of June.
However, The Athletic reporter Phil Hay revealed in a Q&A that he expects the 64-year-old to stay if promotion is secured but he admitted there’s no knowing what Bielsa will do if the Whites aren’t in the Premier League next season.
“He will stick around until this season is settled (and I’d expect him to stay if Leeds go up). If they don’t, all bets are off. Nobody expected him to go at a third Championship term if Leeds had missed out on promotion this season – but if they miss out because of COVID-19, that’s not the same thing. Would injustice and unfinished business make him stick around?”
Will Leeds United be playing in the Premier League next season?
Yes
No
The former Athletic Bilbao chief is known for his unpredictability in the game as he left Marseille just one game into the 2015/16 season, whilst he had a spell in charge of Lazio that lasted just two days.
Fortunately for Leeds, they are in a very strong position to win promotion, as they top the Championship and hold a seven point lead over third-placed Fulham in the race for a top two finish. Plus, if the campaign is cut short, they would go up if sporting merit was applied as everyone in the second tier has played the same number of games, meaning the table would end as it is now.
The authorities are yet to decide what they will do and it could be complicated, as Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber revealed they are against relegation from the top-flight if the Championship isn’t complete – a view that was echoed by Brighton’s Glenn Murray.