Leeds United v Southampton – Marcelo Bielsa explains why he is happy to play waiting game over Elland Road future

The 65-year-old Argentinian has said if the Whites want to be spared the agonies this year, he will give them an early answer, but thinks it would be better for them to take their time. He sees tonight’s Premier League visit of Southampton as another test of his credentials, but it is hard to imagine what he needs to prove to the board or fans.

Bielsa has preferred to work on an annual basis at Elland Road and although the club were quick to exercise their option to extend his contract after the world-renowned coach’s maiden season, he still made them wait to confirm he would be back.

Even last year, with Leeds extremely confident Bielsa would return, he waited weeks until the end of his pre-season work to sign a 12-month extension.

Bielsa seems unwilling or unable to understand how in thrall the club and its fans are to him after transforming their play and their fortunes.

Chairman Andrea Radrizzani said publicly last week how happy he was with Bielsa and how he wants him to stay, but throughout they have also been careful to allow him to do things in his own time.

The reassuring news for nervous fans is Bielsa gave every indication he wants to stay at a club he has taken into the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.

Explaining his reluctance to commit now, he stressed: “It could be interpreted as the club having more desire for me to stay than I do and that’s not the case.

“If the club needs an answer before the end of the season, I will respond before the end of the season.

“But if this happens I will tell them they should consider what happens in the last part of the season.

“It’s possible they could say to me, ‘Okay, we’ll wait until the end of the season,’ or they may say to me, ‘No, we need to resolve it.’ If they need a response prior to the end of the season, I will give one.”

Without saying what it would be, the hints he dropped could scarcely be heavier.

“I don’t imagine for my professional future anything better than what Leeds represents as a job given how the club is and the principles they have, due to the public, the stadium, the Premier League, the fans, the project the club is undertaking, the knowledge I have of the club and the people here,” said Bielsa, who is without the injured Kalvin Phillips (calf) and Rodrigo (groin) again tonight, but has Diego Llorente available. “I feel integrated with the city, this region of England and Yorkshire. I also value highly the people who work for the club.

“I would like to clear two things up that are totally sincere. I would not like them to be interpreted as false modesty. False modesty is to say something to make the person listening think it is something.

“I didn’t take Leeds into the Premier League, I can manage in the Premier League thanks to Leeds.

“The second thing which is also absolutely true is that coaches who demand a lot are infinite. Footballers who accept these high demands, there are very few. The improvements the Leeds United players have made has more to do with their capacity to adhere to this than me.

“I would not consider any alternative until my job here with Leeds is done. I am not going to be in contact with anyone and nobody has offered me anything. It’s the least I can do given how I’ve been treated by the chairman.

“I understand the club might have the need to clear this up more quickly. It’s a normal, logical precaution which is why I think it’s perfectly normal for them to have a list of alternatives although it hasn’t been made public.

“Leeds as a project surpasses me as a coach. Any coach would like to work at this club given how it has been designed.

“There are still a dozen games to play, a third of the season, and the game always offer conclusions to help make the correct decisions. I always propose that all the games are finished (before a decision is reached), not for me, but for those who employ me.

“Perhaps they could confirm they want to continue with me but it could also be that they don’t, or they perhaps could doubt.

“The big coaches in the world – and I’m not saying this because I consider myself one – any of them would love to work in an organisation like the one Leeds have built.”

Bielsa has already managed Leeds longer than any club in his three-decade career and it is not a marriage which looks likely to come to an end any time soon. The renewing of vows, though, may have to wait.

Last six games: Leeds United LLWLWW; Southampton DLWLLL

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).

Last time: Leeds United 3 Southampton 0, October 30, 2012, League Cup.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.