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Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has questioned whether or not Leeds can afford to keep Marcelo Bielsa next season.
There has been rampant speculation about the Leeds boss’ future since the Whites’ loss to Derby County last week.
Many fans and pundits believed that he would walk away from Elland Road, but the BBC pundit believed it may come down to his former club’s financial state.
What’s been said then?
The former striker questioned the Whites’ financial power when discussing the prospect of Bielsa leaving.
“It’s the million dollar question,” Whelan told Football Insider. “I know they’re holding talks and that will have a massive effect on so many things, including transfers and which players stay or go.
“The fans love the manager, he has integrity and has done a brilliant job with the same players that fell flat on their faces last season. What he has done is remarkable.
“The club have to do everything to keep hold of him. It depends what has been arranged Andrea Radrizzani and Mr Bielsa in terms of his contract. I know he is on a lot of money. Can they afford to keep him?”
Must break the bank
Radrizzani must do everything in his power to prove Whelan’s doubts wrong. Bielsa is reportedly on £4 million a year, this is a huge wage for the Championship, but he is absolutely worth it.
If the Whites allow the former Marseille man to slip through their fingers due to his wage demands they will live to regret it for years, especially if the funds are there.
The Yorkshire club have been linked to a plethora of transfer targets this window, and their spending this summer will most likely be higher than the sum of Bielsa’s salary, but there is no signing that could make up for the gap left by the Argentine if the Whites fail to retain his services.
Leeds’ return to the Premier League doesn’t hinge on signing a new striker or a better defender. Bielsa showed what he can do with an average squad last year, and if they let him go the Yorkshire club could very quickly fall back into mid-table mediocrity.
