Reports from France claim Marcelo Bielsa is preparing for a legal fight against Lille, the club which employed him before he came to Leeds United.
According to French newspaper L'Equipe, Bielsa is claiming €19m from the Ligue 1 club, who terminated his contract in December 2017, six months before he was appointed as Leeds United head coach.
He is also seeking €4m for his team of coaches Diego Reyes, Diego Flores, Gabriel Macaya and Pablo Quiroga, all of which except Macaya have followed him to West Yorkshire.
The report also claims Bielsa will represent himself in court as he wants to make sure his own side of the story is told. With the case expected to come to court next year, Bielsa may find himself fighting a battle on two fronts, in the French courts and on the pitches of Championship clubs around the UK.
L'Equipe reports the €19m Bielsa is asking for will cover the remainder of his contract plus damages.
According to Sports Witness, Bielsa's representative Benjamin Cabagno, said: “The public announcement in February 2017 of Marcelo’s arrival helped the club to obtain the necessary contributions to finance a business project based on the principle of “player trading” in the goal of a quick return on investment.
"It will be interesting to evaluate the period of integration and influence (of Bielsa) on the players who will be transferred for very high sums.”
Bielsa was appointed at Lille in May 2017, but was suspended after six months and just 13 games in charge after an alleged, unauthorised visit to Chile, had his contract terminated a month later following a complete breakdown in his relationship with sporting director Luis Campos.
Leeds United announced last month Bielsa would be staying at the club for a second season with chairman Andrea Radrizanni saying: "I am delighted Marcelo has agreed to stay for another year – we have unfinished business."
