Lionel Messi 'wants Marcelo Bielsa to replace Quique Setien at Barcelona'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 25 July 2020

Messi 'wants Bielsa to replace Setien at Barcelona'

Lionel Messi urges Barcelona to make current Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa the new head coach at Camp Nou, according to a report.

Lionel Messi has reportedly urged Barcelona to make current Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa the new head coach at Camp Nou.

Bielsa has led Leeds back into the Premier League for the 2020-21 campaign, but the Argentine is yet to agree a new contract at Elland Road.

The 65-year-old's existing deal with the Whites is due to expire next week, and according to The Sun, Messi has told Barca to bring his countryman to Camp Nou.

Quique Setien is still in charge of the Catalan giants, but the Spaniard could lose his job ahead of next season, having been unable to deliver the 2019-20 La Liga title.

Messi allegedly feels that Bielsa is the ideal candidate to lead the club through a difficult period, although no contact has been made with the manager's representatives at this stage.

Bielsa has previous experience of coaching in Spain's top flight, taking charge of Espanyol in 1998 before leading Athletic Bilbao between 2011 and 2013.

Barca will take on Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on August 8 with the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Italy.