Earlier this week, Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani spoke to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, and revealed he held talks with other candidates before appointing Marcelo Bielsa as the club’s new manager.
One of them is Belgium manager Roberto Martinez and the Championship club’s owner stressed the Spaniard’s employer was an “obstacle” in bringing the former Everton coach to Elland Road.
The 45-year-old guided the Red Devils to a third place finish at the 2018 World Cup and he has given several interviews to Belgian newspapers this week.
Martinez spoke to De Standaard at length and during the course of the interview, The national team coach was asked if he was approached by any clubs, including Leeds.
When questioned about Leeds United, he echoed comments made by Radrizzani and stressed that the Royal Belgian Football Association had the final word on his future.
De Standaard said it’s ‘known for sure’ that Leeds contacted him, and Martinez answered: “I’m not going to say anything about that, but it’s normal for people to talk. But I can talk as much as I want, I am under contract with the Football Association. They have the last word.”
The other candidates Radrizzani said he approached for the Leeds job were Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri.
