SM
Brighton vs. Man City: 18 hrs 41 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Leeds United

Marcelo Bielsa plays down delay over announcing new deal

:Headline: Marcelo Bielsa plays down delay over announcing new deal: ID:413770: from db_amp
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 (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 (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.

“To begin with we will try to play the same way”
- Marcelo Bielsa

"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."

amp_article__413770 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-10 15:59:24:
html db last update - 2021-02-24 10:00:40 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Marcelo Bielsa

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester443041086394794
2Leeds UnitedLeeds44279880374390
3Ipswich TownIpswich432611685533289
4Southampton442591085612484
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4420121267442372
6Norwich CityNorwich442191477611672
7Hull City441912136556969
8Coventry CityCoventry4317121468551363
9Middlesbrough44189176460463
10Preston North EndPreston44189175661-563
11Cardiff CityCardiff44195205061-1162
12Bristol City441611175147459
13Sunderland44168205251156
14Swansea CitySwansea441511185762-556
15Watford441217155958153
16Millwall441411194355-1253
17Stoke CityStoke441311204460-1650
18Queens Park RangersQPR441311204157-1650
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn441310215874-1649
20Plymouth ArgylePlymouth441212205869-1148
21Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds44138233968-2947
22Birmingham CityBirmingham441210224864-1646
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield44917184774-2744
RRotherham UnitedRotherham44412283285-5324
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .