Leeds eye new manager, Jack Harrison has highlighted differences with Marcelo Bielsa

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Leeds United have reportedly put Patrick Vieira back on the list to become the club’s next boss after the Frenchman was a surprise option to replace Jesse Marsch in February – and Jack Harrison has compared him to Marcelo Bielsa.

Coming into the week, reports suggested that Leeds had whittled down the list of potential options to three gaffers. Scott Parker had an outside chance, Carlos Corberan would require compensation, and Daniel Farke, the favourite.

But come the close of play Monday, that had changed. The Mail say Leeds want a manager with Premier League experience. It has ruled Corberan out of the race, despite his years at Leeds – and a bargain £2m compensation fee.

That gap on the list has been filled by Vieira. The Mail also say that after supposedly being in the frame in February while still in a job at Palace, Vieira is now being considered. He managed Harrison at MLS side New York City.

While it is unlikely he would get to work with Harrison, given £16m Harrison is likely to leave this summer – the Leeds winger has spoken about the differences between Vieira and Bielsa, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“When you work with [Bielsa], if you’re smart, you can figure out what he wants without having to ask,” Harrison said, back in 2020. “What I had before, when I was working with Patrick in New York, I was always going to him.

“Asking and asking, that’s how we built an understanding. But with Marcelo it’s not like that. He keeps a distance, he doesn’t like to build too close a relationship with his players. It took me by surprise at first,” Harrison continued.

Leeds put Vieira on manager list, Harrison has compared him to Bielsa

Vieira would be a superb appointment. Having already been linked with Leeds, the Frenchman is just the kind of figure Leeds need at Elland Road. Look at Burnley, they hired a commanding figure in Vincent Kompany. It worked.

Vieira has experience of the Premier League as a manager, too, and actually impressed with Palace during his first season. His second, he lacked the backing required. How would he fare in the Championship? Time will have to tell.