Leeds United reportedly made contact Premier League-winning manager Claudio Ranieri about taking over at Elland Road ahead of Marcelo Bielsa's appointment.

The Argentine arrived in the summer of 2018 and has done a fantastic job at the helm of the Yorkshire club.

Leeds had finished 13th the season before his arrival but Bielsa led them to third in his first year in charge and now has them top of the Championship with nine games remaining of the 2019/20 campaign.

It appears they were interested in another world-renowned manager before the 64-year-old's arrival, however, as it has been revealed that they were in contact with Ranieri.

Speaking on the Phil Hay Show, The Athletic writer discussed some of the options that the Whites considered.

He said: "It was put around at that point that Marco Silva might be an option. I don't think he was interested. I don't think that had ever really got off the ground."

Hay added: "They had made contact with Claudio Ranieri, which again I think was an unrealistic idea and I don't think he was ever interested. But they found that Ranieri knew next to nothing about the squad at Leeds, about the players who he would be inheriting."

Ranieri's career credentials speak for themselves. The Italian has had spells at huge clubs, including Chelsea, Juventus, Roma, and Inter Milan, and, of course, masterminded Leicester City's miraculous Premier League winning season.

As it was, Bielsa arrived in June 2018 and has transformed the Whites into promotion favourites with nine games left of the current campaign.

Can you name the player who scored the first Leeds United goal in each of the last 16 seasons? Have a go now!

 

 

The Verdict

It's very interesting to hear that Leeds had chased both Ranieri and Silva about potentially taking charge in the summer of 2018, though it appears neither was a realistic target.

You'd struggle to find many of the Elland Road faithful that will be disappointed with Bielsa and the impact he has had.

You feel he will likely go down in Whites folklore whatever the result of this season but certainly as a hero if they're to return to the top flight this term.