Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Marcelo Bielsa backed for Leeds United job by Mexico's Juan Carlos Osorio

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio discussed the vacant Leeds United manager's job with Argentine Marcelo Bielsa and believes the 62-year-old will do well should he get the position at the Championship club.

ESPN FC reported on Thursday that Leeds were lining up Bielsa as a potential replacement for Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked on Friday.

Osorio has visited Bielsa in Argentina at least twice, including recently, when it appears the subject of Leeds United was discussed.

"He's a top man and a top manager and he'll do well," Osorio said when asked by ESPN FC in a news conference on Friday. "In my visit there three weeks ago, I spoke to him and he mentioned it to me and I'm very pleased.

"I think that league, the Premier League and the English league will be his ultimate goal and hopefully he'll get there. I think he will do very well."

Bielsa has been out of work since leaving Ligue 1 side Lille in Nov. 2017 but boasts a wealth of experience having previously managed the likes of Marseille, Lazio and Athletic Bilbao, as well as the national teams of Argentina and Chile.

ESPN Argentina's Fernando Carlos reported on Friday that Bielsa is close to joining Leeds and has reached an agreement with the club, with only the work permit situation still to be resolved.

Meanwhile, Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo wrote on Twitter that the famously meticulous Bielsa is already watching videos of Leeds.

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