Boss Bielsa confirms he will stay at Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa has played down the delay over his new contract at Leeds after confirming he will be head coach for their first season back in the Premier League.
Bielsa guided Leeds back to the top flight in July after a 16-year absence and although the club have insisted a new contract is imminent, an agreement has not been formally announced.
Leeds play their first topflight game since 2004 at champions Liverpool tomorrow and fans have grown increasingly anxious over the delay. “I will be working next season with Leeds United,” Bielsa said. “Everything has been sorted and it’s definite that I will be here next season.”
Speaking remotely via a new translator, the Argentinian refused to elaborate on why talks over an extended deal had taken so long.
“Like in every negotiation, nothing is done until it’s actually done,” he said.
“There’s nothing of importance. I’ve been working 100 percent since the promotion celebrations were finished.”
Bielsa said tomorrow’s visit to Liverpool would be “a very special game”, but added: “Anfield is only Anfield if it is full.”
The opening-day clash evokes memories of when the two sides regularly crossed swords in the challenge for major honours. “They are one of the best teams in the world, with a fine system and very good players,” he said.
“It’s difficult to say how our players are going to adjust to the Premier League. We have prepared for this, but we need to show it on the pitch.”
Club record signing Rodrigo (£26million), from Valencia, and former Freiburg centrehalf Robin Koch (a reported £13m), are both passed fit for the game.