Phil Hay: Difficult season would change terms of new Bielsa deal
Leeds United have been below par this season, managing to pick up just two Premier League wins so far in their opening 10 games of 2021-22.
The Whites are currently 17th in the table, and things need to change quickly if they are to avoid a full-blown relegation battle during the latter stages of the campaign.
Marcelo Bielsa continues to be backed by the Leeds board, but The Athletic journalist, Phil Hay, reckons talks over a new deal for the Argentine could take a different shape in the summer if the campaign ends on an underwhelming note.
He wrote on their website: “Bielsa’s contract is up again next summer and a difficult term would change the nature of conversations about what comes next.”
Telling?
While there are still 28 games left in the campaign, Leeds could struggle to finish in the top half of the table considering the quality of those currently ahead of them in the table.
Of course, some quality additions in January could help shake things up and add fresh impetus, but history tells us Bielsa is not a huge fan of making major signings mid-way through the campaign.
Fans and the players would love to see the 66-year-old remain in charge for as long as possible, but his immediate future at Elland Road could largely depend on how the campaign ends.
Leeds and their head coach talk at the end of every season about a new deal, but that conversation and terms of a contract extension could be very different if nothing much has changed about the side’s fortunes on the pitch by then.
Four seasons at a club is a long time for Bielsa, and it would not be shocking if an exit happens sooner than everyone wants.
In other Leeds United news, Raphinha has brutally mocked Norwich ace on Instagram after Sunday victory.