2 years ago
Marcelo Bielsa could return to football management just four months after being fired by Leeds United, but that is contingent on one crucial condition.
Leeds fired Bielsa in February after a spate of results that saw the squad lose 20 goals in the calendar year's shortest month.
With the club facing relegation, they opted to part ways with the Argentine manager, but there's no denying his achievements at the club prior to that.
The 66-year-old is a cult figure in football for his aggressive tactics and ability to kneel down for an entire match despite knee problems.
Fans may soon see the famous figure of Bielsa on the touchline again, with reports in Argentina and Spain tying him to the Athletic Bilbao vacancy.
The Bielsa crouch may return to action shortly. Image courtesy of Alamy
However, with the club due to have a presidential election, it's far from certain that the former Chile national team coach would be able to secure the post.
Bielsa's appointment will be made contingent on Inaki Arechabaleta, one of the leading candidates for the role, being elected on June 24th.
He has previously led the club, guiding them to the Europa League final, where they defeated Manchester United, and to the Copa del Rey final in his debut season.
Things went downhill in his second season with the Basque club, which still has a Basque-only signing policy, and he left without his contract being renewed.
Pochettino is also in the running, with his PSG job on the line. Image courtesy of Alamy
If Bielsa is appointed, fellow countryman Mauricio Pochettino will be passed over, with the current PSG manager preferred by one of the other candidates.
Pochettino is still technically employed at the time of writing, but he is anticipated to be fired by the Ligue 1 winners any day now.
Ricardo Barkala, the favorite to win next week's vote, is backing the 50-year-old, and it would definitely soften the blow of losing his current job.
Ernesto Valverde has also been connected with the role, which became available after Marcelino left the club at the end of last season.
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