Report: Roma eye Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa despite contract talks

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Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his official website that AS Roma are looking to replace Claudio Ranieri with Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa, 63, has been added to a shortlist of three managers which also include Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri and Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini. But it is believed that Bielsa would be the easiest to obtain of the three.

Sarri is expected to remain at Chelsea or move to either Juventus or Milan, while it is believed that it is unlikely that Gasperini will leave Serie A side Atalanta. Bielsa, meanwhile, is weighing up an offer from Leeds.

The former Argentina manager signed a three-year contract at Leeds last summer, but one that means Leeds and Bielsa need to agree to remain together for the next 12 months at the end of every season.

The Yorkshire Evening Post claim Leeds are in talks to “activate a pre-agreed option” to keep Bielsa until the summer of 2020. It remains to be seen if he will agree to another season. If not, Roma could come calling.

TBR’s view

Bielsa is certainly one of the most innovative minds in world football. Much has been spoken about his influences on the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, and that is reflected in his £58,000-a-week deal (Di Marzio).

Looking through Bielsa’s career, he has managed the likes of Argentina, Marseille and Athletic Bilbao. All big clubs and countries, but Roma would top the lot.

Champions League semi-finalists in 2017-18, Roma have plenty of talent, money to spend and Europa League football next season. Bielsa has got to be tempted.