Bielsa “very close” to signing new contract, says Leeds chief

Marcelo Bielsa is preparing for Leeds United' first season back in the Premier League following a 16-year exile.

Marcelo Bielsa has never spent more than two years managing a club side

Leeds United is confident coach Marcelo Bielsa will extend his contract with the Yorkshire club, chief executive Angus Kinnear said on Thursday after the Argentine's initial two-year deal expired following its promotion to the Premier League.

After falling at the playoff hurdle last year, Leeds earned automatic promotion to the top flight after winning the second-tier Championship this year.

Bielsa has never spent more than two years managing a club side but Kinnear said the 64-year-old was already preparing for Leeds' first season back in the Premier League following a 16-year exile.

“I just need to find an appropriate window to get the paper in front of him and for him to sign it,” Kinnear told Sky Sports . “I know fans are nervous, it makes me a bit nervous, but I don't think there is any reason to be.

“Marcelo is absolutely focused on training, but like last season where I know everyone was nervous about the contract, it is about him getting the time to focus on signing it.

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“We have conversations daily and it tends to be about the minutiae of the preparations for the season rather than his contract.”

Leeds was charged on Thursday by the country's governing body (FA) on Thursday for its celebrations after a 3-1 win at Derby County in the penultimate game of the season, where players celebrated with flares at an empty Pride Park.

“It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion as pyrotechnic devices were used following the conclusion of the fixture,” the FA said in a statement.

Leeds said it accepted the charge.

Leeds begins its Premier League campaign with a trip to champion Liverpool on September 12.