Leeds United have announced that their manager, Marcelo Bielsa, will remain at the Championship club for another season.
Bielsa, who so nearly guided Leeds back to the Premier League in his first season in charge, has agreed to stay at Elland Road after the club activated their option to extend his deal for another 12 months.
“Leeds are delighted to confirm that chairman Andrea Radrizzani has officially exercised the option to extend Marcelo Bielsa’s contract for a second season,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“Marcelo has met with the board of directors on a number of occasions over the past few days and has confirmed his intention to continue on in his role of head coach.”
The Argentinian was a surprise appointment last summer but has proved to be a success in England. Bielsa kept Leeds in the automatic promotion places for much of the Championship season, before a late collapse in form saw them finish third, losing in the play-off semi-finals to Derby County.
Leeds fans had feared the former Chile and Argentina coach could leave the club following their defeat to Derby in the play-off semi-finals. Bielsa said he would consider an offer to extend his stay immediately after his side’s 4-3 aggregate defeat, but gave no guarantees over his future.
Leeds added: “Bielsa penned a two-year deal with the Whites in June 2018 with the club maintaining the right to extend or terminate the deal at the end of year one. During Marcelo’s debut season in English football, the team amassed a total of 83 points – the highest points total since promotion from League One during the 2009-10 season, playing an attractive brand of football which has helped Bielsa to become a popular figure among supporters.”