"Interesting one" - Journalist drops claim as key Leeds figure "loyal to Bielsa" may also leave

Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear could quit Elland Road due to his loyalty to Marcelo Bielsa, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Bielsa was sacked by the Premier League strugglers on Sunday and the Argentinian was quickly replaced in the dugout by Jesse Marsch.

Kinnear was drafted in from West Ham United close to five years ago, with Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani admitting he was ‘delighted to bring in a managing director of Angus’ calibre and experience’.

The switch to the Yorkshire giants came after Ben Mansford opted to leave Elland Road following just one season at the club.

But it appears the Whites could be seeking a new chief executive in a matter of months after LeedsRadar claimed Kinnear will resign at the end of the season.

That would come as a huge blow to Leeds as The Athletic correspondent Phil Hay previously revealed 49ers Enterprises would want to keep Kinnear at the club as they edge towards taking control of the Premier League outfit.

The investment arm of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers have a deal in place which will see them gain 100 per cent of Leeds’ assets for in excess of £400million by January 2024.

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O’Rourke believes rumours of Kinnear’s potential exit may come as a result of the chief executive not being on board with the decision to sack Bielsa.

The journalist feels Kinnear could show his loyalty towards the Argentinian by walking away from Elland Road.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s an interesting one. Obviously, not all managerial appointments or departures are unanimously agreed between all of the hierarchy.

“I think Bielsa would have done enough to keep Leeds up and could