CHAPMAN: SQUAD NEEDS NEW LIFE

LEE CHAPMAN fears the “novelty has worn off” with Marcelo Bielsa and has urged the Leeds board to overhaul the squad during the summer – or risk relegation next season.

Argentinian Bielsa has presided over a renaissance at Elland Road since arriving in the summer of 2018. He got the Whites promoted as Championship champions in 2020 to end a 16-year exile from the Premier League and then inspired them to a ninthplaced finish last term.

But with Leeds having endured a disappointing campaign and relegation still a possibility, Chapman has called for clarity on Bielsa’s future with his deal due to expire in the summer.

The legendary striker, whose goals helped Leeds pip hated rivals Manchester United to the 1991/92 First Division title, said: “I think the novelty has worn off a little bit with Bielsa.

“He needs to make it clear what his intentions are because he can’t just walk out at the end of the season and leave Leeds in the lurch because they will struggle to get the kind of manager they want.”

American coach Jesse Marsch has been tipped to take over should Bielsa depart at the end of this season. Regardless of whether Bielsa extends his stay at Elland Road, Chapman is adamant that Leeds require significant investment this summer.

He added: “Leeds need to have a bit of a clear-out and a big budget to sign four, five or six players.”