Former Leeds United midfielder Danny Pugh says the Whites must keep head coach Marcelo Bielsa at the club if they fail to win promotion.

The Whites face Derby County in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road tonight and go into the game with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

Leeds just missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, after losing three of their final four games in the Championship, but will have another chance at promotion in the play-offs.

Pugh believes that the Whites must keep Bielsa at Elland Road, even if they fail to win promotion, because of everything he has achieved with the team since taking charge of the club last summer

“If Leeds don’t go up I think that they should do everything they can to keep hold of their manager,” Pugh told Football FanCast.

“Leeds are built for the Premier League, and it would mean absolutely everything to the fans to see them back there, and the best chance of that happening is with Bielsa in charge.”

The Verdict:

I couldn't agree more with Pugh here.

Bielsa has done a magnificent job for Leeds since taking charge at Elland Road in the summer and the players have totally bought into his coaching methods.

There's no denying that it will be a massive disappointment if Leeds fail to win promotion this season, but it would be an even bigger blow if they were to lose their manager.

The Whites should do everything they can to keep Bielsa at Elland Road, regardless of what division the club are in next season.