Marcelo Bielsa set for Leeds United job after Heckingbottom - reports
Former Argentina and Chile manager Marcelo Bielsa is set to takeover at Sky Bet Championship club Leeds United, according to reports.
Reports emerged on Thursday that Leeds were looking at the South American to make the switch to Elland Road, and now the club are aiming to install the 62-year-old as their latest boss.
Bielsa's agent recently confirmed that the two parties are in negotiations.
"Conversations are in progress," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post when asked about reports that Bielsa was in pole position to take the role.
Some reports in Argentina have already said that the deal is done, and that Bielsa is just waiting for a work permit.
Amplío lo de Bielsa: ya tiene acuerdo de palabra con Leeds, la autorización de la FA para dirigir y lo único que resta es que Inglaterra le dé el permiso de trabajo. https://t.co/ApcnejEA8Y
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) June 1, 2018
The above Tweet translates to: "Already has agreement of Word with Leeds, the authorisation of the FA to direct and the only thing that remains is that England gives him the work permit."
Marcelo Bielsa está muy cerca de convertirse en el DT de Leeds United. Sólo restan detalles (permiso para trabajar) para que llegar a un acuerdo. Lo contamos en @ESPNFutbolClub y en @ESPN_FDJ pic.twitter.com/xlLvWWLMI8
— Fernando Carlos (@fercarlos75) June 1, 2018
ESPN Argentina's Fernando Carlos has also reported that Bielsa is close to joining Leeds and has reached an agreement with the club, with only the work permit situation still to be resolved.
Bielsa has managed the Argentina and Chile national teams and has received glowing praise from the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino - who described him as a father figure and an innovator.
The former Athletic Bilbao and Marseille boss is by far the leading candidate for the role, with a real mix of names including Claudio Ranieri, Carlos Carvalhal and Mick McCarthy also towards the head of the betting.
Mexico national team manager Juan Carlos Osorio has backed the former Lille man for the job, whilst also suggesting that conversations have been going on with Leeds for a number of weeks.
"He's a top man and a top manager and he'll do well," Osorio said when asked by ESPN FC. "In my visit there three weeks ago, I spoke to him and he mentioned it to me and I'm very pleased.
"I think that league, the Premier League and the English league will be his ultimate goal and hopefully he'll get there. I think he will do very well."
Former Leicester boss Ranieri remains the 5/1 second favourite, although it appears that Leeds' negotiations with Bielsa may reach a conclusion in the coming days.
The Whites are 5/1 to achieve promotion from the Championship this season with EFL title sponsors Sky Bet.
Odds correct at 1600 BST (02/06/18)
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