Major claim now emerges on Marcelo Bielsa future at Leeds

Leeds would “ideally” like to keep Marcelo Bielsa as their manager next season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Argentine coach’s future is currently hanging in the balance heading into the final third of the campaign.

Bielsa’s contract is set to expire in June, and the 66-year-old has yet to sign a new deal.

He tends to take his time when making a decision over whether to stay at a club, but his future at Leeds has never seemed in serious doubt until this point.

Now, it appears that Leeds are genuinely concerned about losing him at the end of the season, and they have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of Jesse Marsch, Ernesto Valverde and Carlos Corberan, in case they need to replace Bielsa.

Marsch has emerged as Leeds’ first-choice target if Bielsa does decide to move on.

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Despite Leeds reportedly looking around for alternatives, O’Rourke still believes that their primary aim will be to convince Bielsa to stay by offering him a new contract.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke said: “Ideally, Leeds would love Marcelo Bielsa to sign a new contract and extend his stay at Leeds United.”

Keeping hold of Bielsa has never been completely straightforward. The experienced manager only signed his last contract shortly before the start of this season, and that was coming off the back of a top-half Premier League finish.

This term has been far more difficult for Leeds as they have had to battle on with a depleted squad due to injuries, and they could yet be dragged into a relegation battle.

This may explain why there is so much uncertainty over what will happen with Bielsa, and if he even wants to remain at Elland Road.

If Leeds do start to