'Emotionally and psychologically' - Angus Kinnear provides huge update on Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa's future

Bielsa steered Leeds to a superb ninth-placed finish upon the club's long awaited Premier League return last season but the 65-year-old's current Whites contract expires this summer.

However, United CEO Angus Kinnear says that terms to extend Bielsa's stay were actually sorted weeks or even months ago and that Bielsa signing a new deal is a "formality".

Asked for the latest on Bielsa's contract situation, Kinnear told BBC Radio Leeds:" We are all really confident. Marcelo decided not to return back to Argentina this summer.

"Some of his coaching staff have but he wanted to stay at Elland Road, he wanted to prepare, he wanted to work with Victor (Orta) and I on the transfer window and much to our training ground directors' delight, he wanted to stay to oversee the training ground work taking place.

"So I have no doubt as to his commitment and as normal with Marcelo I think putting pen to paper he sees as an irrelevance.

"It's really emotionally and psychologically where he is and he is certainly very much with Leeds United for next season."

Pressed on whether it was a case of daily discussions with the head coach, Kinnear revealed: "We agreed the terms several weeks ago, several months ago perhaps.

"And really the measure we use within the club is, is he engaged, is he working on next season? He is.

"He is being incredibly diligent and I'm not sure there is any other manager in the Premier League who is taking no time off and not leaving the training ground.

"That shows his commitment so I am treating the contract as a formality."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins