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Leeds United news: Reason for Marcelo Bielsa delay revealed
LEEDS UNITED are set to appoint Marcelo Bielsa as their new manager - but the deal is being delayed over his work permit.
That is according to reports in Argentina tonight.
Bielsa, 62, is Leeds’ top candidate to replace Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked on Friday.
Former Argentina and Chile national team coach Bielsa has been out of work since being sacked by Lille in November.
But Argentine TV station TYC Sports claim a deal with Leeds is on the verge of being signed off.
They report that Leeds just need the UK authorities to authorise Bielsa a work permit.
Amplío lo de Bielsa: ya tiene acuerdo de palabra con Leeds, la autorización de la FA para dirigir y lo único que resta es que Inglaterra le dé el permiso de trabajo. https://t.co/ApcnejEA8Y
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) June 1, 2018
The news comes as the BBC claim Bielsa is meant to be in Mexico on Monday for a football clinic.
BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope tweeted: “Basically there’s work to be done yet & I reiterate that the search by the club is “extensive” ... so sit tight.”
Leeds United fans are keen for the club to get a new manager in place so attention can then turn towards the transfer window.
An absence of deals since the window opened last month led to speculation over Heckingbottom’s future.
The ex-Barnsley boss, who cost Leeds £500,000 in compensation when prising him away from Oakwell in February, was axed after a disappointing spell in charge at Elland Road.