Bielsa and Radrizzani future may be up in the air if EFL suspension drags out – Graham Smyth
Leeds United fans may have to worry about the futures of Marcelo Bielsa and Andrea Radrizzani if the coronavirus-enforced suspension of the Championship drags on.
Bielsa’s contract at Elland Road expires at the end of June and there is a good chance that the current English football season might not be finished in time for then.
On Friday, the Premier League and EFL suspended all matches up until early April but there is a feeling among many fans that the suspension will go on much longer than that.
If that happens then it leaves huge doubts surrounding Bielsa’s future while Radrizzani’s future at Elland Road could also be in doubt, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
“From a Leeds point of view, it throws the whole Bielsa situation up in the air with what he does and how long he stays and if he goes. And with Radrizzani if he stays in control,” said Smyth on the Inside Elland Road podcast.
“What they have to do is find a way to finish this season.”
It’s a good point made by Smyth because if the season ends up being completed after June 30 – what happens with contracts and loan deals that are meant to expire?
Bielsa’s deal ends in June, as does Gaetano Berardi’s while loanees such as Ben White, Jack Harrison and Jean-Kevin Augustin could all be on their way back to their parent clubs.
Leeds might still have nine games to play of the Championship season and would have to renegotiate to sort out those deals and keep Bielsa’s playing squad intact.
Who knows what will happen. It’s the most uncertain time in football since World War Two.
In other Leeds United news, fans are thrilled with this tweet by the Championship’s official account.