Victor Orta delivers positive update on Bielsa future at Leeds as current deal ticks down
Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta has said he is not worried “at all” about Marcelo Bielsa leaving the club.
Bielsa is yet to sign a new deal to manage Leeds in the Premier League and his current contract – extended as the Championship season was delayed – is nearing the end.
All talk about him staying on and managing next season has been positive but nothing official has come from the club.
Now, talking in an interview with LaTercera over the weekend, Orta was asked if he was scared of Bielsa leaving suddenly, given his history at other clubs.
“Not at all,” Orta said. “Because I understand the reasons why he left those places in the past. I knew that we could give him an environment where he could develop his work.
“In fact, it was my biggest obsession: that he was always in a comfortable environment to work. I do not live with fear.”
Orta went on to talk about Bielsa’s contribution to Leeds and said, “He helps us in all areas. Our club is today one of the best in England thanks to his advice.
“When Bielsa leaves Leeds, he will have left a better club in many ways. His ideas help the club to be better, the players to train better, the academy to be better. It is a comprehensive management. It will leave a legacy for the rest of the club’s history.”
Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said that people close to Bielsa are very confident that he will sign a new deal.
But, at the end of July, he said that it would be done on Bielsa time and not before.
The Sun got Leeds fans worried recently when they published a report that claimed Lionel Messi wanted Bielsa at Barcelona.
That story was taken down the next day and it has never been mentioned by any sources close to Leeds or the manager.
Meanwhile, Bielsa was seen at the Everton v Bournemouth game at the end of the Premier League season, which suggested he was scouting players for next year.
We’re not overly concerned, although, like other fans, we’ll be a lot happier when he does sign a contract extension.
As is his way, it will almost certainly be a one-year deal. That’s how Bielsa works and the Leeds hierarchy have always been confident that they know exactly where they are with the manager.
It’s not known exactly when Bielsa’s current deal runs out, given that it was extended for the Coronavirus delay, but it must be soon. It was initially set to expire at the end of June.
Let’s hope that Leeds can announce a new Bielsa deal in the next week.
In other Leeds United news, Club congratulates young attacker on Leeds move before deleting tweet – deal could be imminent