“Very highly thought of” – Journalist drops verdict on Leeds manager target with 75% win ratio

Marcelo Bielsa’s potential replacement in the Leeds United dugout Ruben Amorim is ‘very highly thought of’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The current Sporting Lisbon manager has limited experience in the hot seat but has already cultivated a reputation as one of European football’s brightest tactical brains.

After showcasing his credentials as an elite-level coach during a short 13-game spell in charge of Braga, Sporting saw enough potential to pay their domestic rivals £8 million to secure his services.

Many questions were asked when the capital club’s hierarchy decided to splash out such a fee for the then 35-year-old back in March 2020, yet Amorim has silenced any doubters since.

The retired centre-back guided the Verde e brancos to their first top-flight title since 2002 last term, suffering just one defeat in their 34-league fixtures, breaking Benfica and Porto’s duopoly in emphatic fashion.

Sporting currently sit in second position in the Primeira Liga table, six points behind league leaders Porto following their entertaining 2-2 draw last time out and will still be hopeful of retaining their crown for the first time since 1954.

However, Amorim’s impressive exploits at the Estádio José Alvalade have caught the eye of some of the continent’s top teams, who are eager to snap up the next big supercoach.

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According to Portuguese outlet UOL, Leeds have evaluated the young tactician as they line up Bielsa’s long-term heir but his reported €30m (£25.7) release clause could be a problem.

Bielsa has made a habit of signing one-year extensions throughout his time in west Yorkshire, meaning his existing deal is set to expire at the end of the