Leeds United hopes grow over keeping Roma target Bielsa Leeds are confident of securing Marcelo Bielsa, despite reports from Italy claiming Roma want the Argentinian coach. Sky Sport Italia report that Roma star Francesco Totti will be appointed technical director of the Giallorossi after James Pallotta gave the green light to promote the legendary former number 10. But Roma’s rebuilding will not end there because Pallotta’s advisor Franco Baldini has reportedly contacted Leeds boss Bielsa to offer him the Roma job. Caretaker manager Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that he will step aside after two months in the post and Roma want 63-year-old Bielsa, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, with Sampdoria’s Marco Giampaolo their ‘Plan B’. Leeds United though will hold further talks with Bielsa this week and there is “mounting confidence” the highly-regarded coach will accept an extension to his Elland Road contract. The Yorkshire Evening Post report that “sources close to the Argentinian” believe he is ready to agree another season at the helm after being beaten in the play-offs by Derby last week. Bielsa met with Leeds director of football Victor Orta over the weekend and the dialogue was “positive” and the Whites are hoping to secure Bielsa for another season before he disappears home to Argentina for the summer. Following the play-off defeat to Derby on Wednesday, Bielsa, whose 12-month deal has a break clause and an extension clause, announced he was prepared to listen to the club about extending his stay into a second season. Following the loss, Bielsa said: “If the club offers me the possibility to carry on I will listen to this proposal. “It’s a painful situation and we’re all disappointed,” he added. Bielsa had an ill-fated two-day spell in charge of Roma’s city rivals Lazio back in 2016 before walking away from the job. The post Leeds United hopes grow over keeping Roma target Bielsa appeared first on teamtalk.com.