Glenn Hoddle makes claim about Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa’s contract

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Glenn Hoddle has told his podcast that he is concerned over Marcelo Bielsa’s future at Leeds United given the Argentine’s contract only runs until the end of the current season – despite Bielsa preferring to stay on 12-month deals since joining Leeds.

Bielsa, 65, is now in his third season at Leeds and has managed the newly-promoted side more than any other club or country throughout his country. He has been in charge for 115 games and is considered a legend at Elland Road following promotion.

The Athletic have claimed that Bielsa earns £6million a year, but that figure extends to his assistants and backroom staff. He is contracted until the end of the season, with Bielsa renewing his deal in the summer of 2019 and then in 2020.

The former Argentina, Lazio, Marseille, Bilbao and Chile boss likes to work on a 12-month rolling contract but Hoddle thinks that is a concern for Leeds – as it prevents the experienced manager from planning for the future.

“The slight problem if you’re being a bit cynical is I’m not sure what contract he is on,” Hoddle said. “I think he is a person that goes 12 months at a time. That is not someone who is thinking of next season, and planning.

“So that’s a bit frightening to think that it is now or never and it isn’t worrying about the future – his or the club. There will come a time – and it is the sign of a good coach – to change things in order to survive. He might have to pull the reigns in at times.”

TBR’s view – Bielsa would be planning for future, regardless of contract

Since joining Leeds, Bielsa has worked on a 12-month rolling deal and while Hoddle’s comments make sense in that it may prevent him from planning long-term – Bielsa is too clever a manager to not do as such.

Just because he doesn’t want to sign a long-term deal, does not mean he is not planning for the future. Indeed, Bielsa is renowned for bringing through young players. Just this season, Leif Davis, Jamie Shackleton and Pascal Struijk have featured.

He is planning for the future and even if he does not renew terms until his current deal expires, he will remain at Leeds if he is happy in Yorkshire. At the moment, even after a 6-2 defeat to Manchester United, he seems that.