Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could be back in England with Athletic Bilbao next month as the Spanish outfit takes on Newcastle United in pre-season. The Argentine could return to the La Liga side if Iñaki Arechabaleta win the club’s upcoming presidential elections.
Arechabaleta has promised supporters that he'll bring Bielsa back to Bilbao should he be elected to replace Aitor Elizegi and that could bolster his support ahead of Friday's vote. The Basque-based club finished eight in La Liga and were beaten by Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España final after previously lifting the trophy last year.
They're penned in to play the Magpies at St. James' Park on Saturday, July 30th with kick-off to be confirmed. A handful of Leeds United supporters have already suggested they'd travel to Spain to watch Bilbao if Bielsa is appointed as manager.
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“In the month of March I had contact with Iñaki Arechabaleta, he proposed this possibility to me,” Bielsa said, as per Sport Witness.
"It is a great responsibility to be Athletic Club’s coach. I needed some time to give him an answer. I told Arechabaleta that the best thing was for Marcelino to continue because he had room for growth.
“Finally, after Marcelino’s decision (to leave), I began to think about giving him a positive answer. The quality of this team is comparable to what it was ten years ago. It makes me dream to join a group that can try to have a version of a similar level to that of 2011-2013.”
