Leeds United have confirmed that Marcelo Bielsa has left his role as head coach of the club.

The 66-year-old was relieved of his duties on Sunday morning after overseeing four straight Premier League defeats in which the Whites conceded 17 goals.

Bielsa leaves Leeds firmly in a relegation battle, currently sitting two points above the bottom three with 18th-placed Burnley having two games in hand.

A club statement from Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani read: "This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club.

"With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019-20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included.

"However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.

"We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.

"Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future."

Leeds have also revealed that they will aim to make an announcement on a new appointment tomorrow and plans for a permanent tribute to Bielsa at Elland Road are under way, with further information to be released in due course.

Former RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch, who is currently unemployed, is believed to be the leading candidate to take over at Elland Road.

Bielsa joined Leeds in the summer of 2018 when they were in the Championship and in his second season with the club, they achieved promotion to the Premier League as champions after a 16-year absence.

Leeds impressed on their return to the top flight and finished in a respectable ninth position last season; however this term, Bielsa and co have struggled at the wrong end of the table, with the Argentine leaving the West Yorkshire outfit in a precarious position above the drop zone.

Bielsa, who would have been out of contract in the summer, won 81, drew 30 and lost 59 of his 170 games in charge of Leeds. body check tags ::