After a stunning backs against the wall victory against Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime, it is hard to believe that this weekend could have got any better for Leeds United fans. But reports from over The Atlantic Ocean in leading Argentine daily newspaper La Nación could bring an even bigger smile to Leeds fans faces. The reports suggest Marcelo Bielsa has been in negotiations with the club over recent days to extend his stay at Elland Road for a further two years. Bielsa was reluctant to discuss his future just a few weeks ago but with Premier League now secured Victor Orta has launched his plans for next seasons recruitment, securing Bielsa’s services ahead of the transfer window will be crucial to those plans. The report reads;
LA NACION had access to the information that the negotiations advanced in recent days to renew the contract for two more years. "Very close," revealed a source close to the decision table on the possibility of reaching an agreement. The understanding reaches the economic and sporting part. In his three seasons at Leeds, Bielsa always signed for one year, so a 24-month signature would be a novelty. In his last renewal, he became one of the six coaches among the best paid in the Premier. The negotiations after the promotion were very arduous and tense, heated in more than a moment. Everything was stretched so far until the last minute that the club announced that Bielsa was going to be the manager in the Premier League just hours before the debut against Liverpool.
After that experience, in Leeds they do not rule out that some unforeseen event that locks everything up, but so far they are very optimistic. The authorities intend to resolve the Bielsa issue as soon as possible to advance in the strategy of registrations and cancellations for the conformation of the future campus. The next goal aims to improve what has been done - Leeds is ninth -, to get closer to the qualifying places for the European cups. With one more game, he is currently seven points behind Liverpool, fifth (place for the Europa League).
As the report says, two years would be unusual given Bielsa has agreed only year long deals so far, but his stay at Leeds is already record breaking. Bielsa has now been at the helm for over 130 Leeds United games, his other longest spells being 113 games at Athletic Bilbao and 97 games at his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys. Extending his spell to five years would demonstrate the commitment Bielsa has to a project, a club and a city that he appears to have taken to his heart. In Leeds Bielsa has found a club that supports him, a group of players who respect and understand him and fans who have learned to love him.
With what Bielsa has achieved over the past few seasons who knows what he could achieve given another two seasons in the Premier League. Here’s hoping he signs!
