El Correo are a very reliable regional Basque newspaper, so when they reported last week that Leeds United were in talks to appoint Marcelo Bielsa, it was certainly worth listening to.
However, it was curious that a Bilbao publication would carry the claim, given Bielsa left Athletic Club in 2013 and has been living in Argentina since his departure from France and Ligue 1 side Lille.
What probably explains it is that on the same day the La Liga club unveiled Eduardo Berizzo as their new manager, and he used to work with Bielsa and therefore has ties to the him.
The story has rumbled on, and Leeds United sacking Paul Heckingbottom made the vacancy all the clearer.
Over in Argentina, there’s a couple of snippets on the situation today which suggest the appointment is edging nearer.
Clarin, one of the country’s biggest newspapers, reports Bielsa is close to taking over at ‘historical English club’ Leeds United.
It’s explained the 62 year old has been keeping a low profile in Argentina recently, and ‘has already received authorisation from the English FA to direct (we’d assume this means manage) and get a work permit to enter the United Kingdom.’
Mundo D, a major sport publication, report: ‘Marcelo Bielsa negotiates with Leeds United, English team, which intends to hire him to return to the first division of the Premier League. It would be his fourth experience in Europe after passing through Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lille.
‘The coach from Rosario would already have a verbal agreement with the club’s leadership and would only need the authorisation of the FA and the work permit to return to technical leadership.’
This is Marcelo Bielsa, so anything could happen before he takes over at Leeds United, and anything could also happen afterwards.
