MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 06:13:25| >> :120:7564:7564:

Marcelo Bielsa plays down delay over announcing new deal

Marcelo Bielsa plays down delay over announcing new deal
© Reuters
The head coach has insisted he will lead the club in the Premier League.

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 top-flight game since 2004 at champions Liverpool on Saturday evening and fans have grown increasingly anxious over the delay.

Marcelo Bielsa is revered by Leeds fans
Marcelo Bielsa is revered by Leeds fans (Danny Lawson/PA)

"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."

Spain forward Rodrigo, left, became Leeds club record signing last month
Spain forward Rodrigo, left, became Leeds' club record signing last month (Adam Davy/PA)

Bielsa, whose press conferences last season were often enlightening and humorous, was in no mood for extensive chat on any subject ahead of his first venture into the Premier League.

Bielsa said Saturday'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."

Leeds overran most of their opposition on their way to winning the Championship title by a 10-point margin.

But critics have questioned whether his side's high-intensity, all-out offensive approach will yield results in the top flight.

"To begin with we will try to play the same way," Bielsa said.

Leeds' two major summer signings, Spain forward Rodrigo and Germany defender Robin Koch, could both make their debuts at Anfield.

Club record signing Rodrigo (£26million), from Valencia, and former Freiburg centre-half Koch (a reported £13m), both appear to have passed Bielsa's stringent fitness tests.

"They are in very good physical condition ahead of the game," said Bielsa, who confirmed all his players bar Adam Forshaw (hip) were fit.

"The championship officially starts in two days' time and the team is at the adequate fitness levels to start the first games."

Bielsa chose not to shed light on any further possible new arrivals, adding: "If there are to be any more new signings we will let you know in due time."

ID:413770: cacheID:413770:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7481:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leeds United players celebrate winning promotion to the Premier League in July 2020
Read Next:
Premier League: Liverpool face tough examination by Leeds United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
16Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
17Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth193882134-1317
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!