Athletic Bilbao determined to keep Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa
© PA Photos
Athletic Bilbao sporting director Jose Maria Amorrortu has expressed the importance of keeping manager Marcelo Bielsa at the Spanish club.

The 56-year-old has been instrumental in Bilbao's current campaign and Amorrotu has admitted that the club are desperate to offer the coach a new deal before his current contract expires at the end of the season.

"This is a coach who has improved all of the players, not just the team," said Amorrotu. "We need to find an agreement because it is fundamental for the consolidation of all that he is doing.

"And I have to say that the super-professional relationship with Bielsa is still being maintained and strengthened.

"He has taken on the role that we were all hoping he would, and he is giving us a lot of lessons that will serve us well for the future of Athletic."

Bielsa was a strong favourite to take over from Pep Guardiola at Barcelona before Tito Vilanova was appointed.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Barcelona356991
2Real Madrid365981
3Atletico Madrid363272
4Real Sociedad362062
5Valencia361362
6Malaga36454
7Real Betis35-252
8Sevilla36447
9Getafe36-1147
10Rayo Vallecano35-1846
11Espanyol35-444
12Real Valladolid35-443
13Levante35-1742
14Athletic Bilbao35-2141
15Granada36-1839
16Osasuna36-1636
17Real Zaragoza35-1834
18Deportivo La Coruna35-2232
19Celta Vigo36-1831
20Mallorca35-3229