Five potential replacements for Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds
Martin Macdonald
- 26 Feb 2022 22:01 GMT
- 3 min read
Leeds are on the lookout for a new manager after Marcelo Bielsa left his post on Saturday evening.
The Argentine was under major pressure at Elland Road following the loss against Tottenham, with Antonio Conte's side winning 4-0.
In 26 matches so far this campaign, they have conceded no less than 60 goals, averaging 2.3 goals conceded per game.
They have not won in six games and have lost five of those. Since they last won a game, they have conceded 21 goals.
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During the week, they were demolished 6-0 away at Liverpool, and that was followed up by the aforementioned defeat against Spurs.
Leeds reportedly have a number of candidates ready to step in.
Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch is currently out of working after being sacked by RB Leipzig earlier this season.
The American took charge of the Bundesliga outfit after earning success at RB Salzburg, but was sacked in December of 2021 after a record of seven wins, four draws and six losses.
Despite the failure at RB Leipzig, Marsch retains a positive reputation within European football, and he remains the favourite to replace Bielsa.
Sam Allardyce
From one extreme to another.
Bielsa is known for his swashbuckling, pressing style as a football manager, and although those tactics served Leeds well last season, it is clear that the team needs more solidity in order to avoid relegation.
One option for Leeds is to go completely in the opposite direction and appoint ultra-pragmatic Sam Allardyce, who has form in the Premier League for taking over a struggling club and helping them survive in the top flight.
It probably wouldn't be a popular appointment, but if he can grind out results, Leeds fans won't care.
Carlos Corberan
Not necessarily the biggest name available, but Carlos Corberan has emerged as a managerial option for Leeds.
He is currently doing a fine job at Huddersfield but would certainly be tempted by a return to Leeds due to his history with the club.
Corberan was previously in charge of the Under-23 side at Elland Road before being promoted to the role as first-team coach under Bielsa. It was at Leeds that he progressed as a coach to earn the Huddersfield job.
Would it be a smart move for Leeds to appoint a Bielsa student, though?
Ernesto Valverde
If you were to tell Leeds they would be appointing a La Liga-wining manager they would certainly get excited.
Former Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde is one of the favourites to be next manager at Leeds.
Crucially, Valverde would still implement attacking football which is what the players at Leeds are used to, but he would still be able to bring an element of control to the team, too.
Scott Parker
There are a number of young, talented English coaches plying their trade in the Premier League and Championship currently.
One of those, Scott Parker, is being targeted for the job at Elland Road if a few of the favourites mentioned above drop out of the race.
However, Parker is currently in charge at Bournemouth and has a good chance of earning promotion with the Cherries.
So, would he be willing to take a chance on taking over a side that might get relegated?
Read more about: Premier League, Leeds United
