#philhay

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has delivered a major update on when Marcelo Bielsa’s new contract with Leeds should be finalised. WHAT DID HE SAY? Bielsa led the Whites to the Championship title last season, securing the club’s long-awaited return to the Premier League. One thing that has been a talking point is when the Argentine would put pen to paper on an extension at Elland Road, and Hay has provided a very positive update. He said: “My understanding is that Leeds and Bielsa are essentially agreed on the terms of an extension for next season. Unless something goes wrong over the weekend, the contract should be finalised and put in place before the players resume training on Wednesday. The length of time taken to get this done shouldn’t be a surprise. IS IT HAALAND SNR OR DAVID HOPKINS? YOUR LEEDS KNOWLEDGE WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST WITH THIS QUIZ… WORLD CLASS SCORE: 95% | EXPERT SCORE: 80% | VETERAN SCORE: 65% | INTERMEDIATE SCORE: 45% | AMATEUR SCORE: 30% | TRY AGAIN: 5% “Neither of his previous contract negotiations with Leeds were quick and both Bielsa’s deal and his expectations can be complex. But Leeds are confident and his camp are confident. The bottom line: the club cannot afford for this process to fail and they know that.” LEEDS’ BIGGEST PRIORITY Forget all the talk of big-money signings and high-profile arrivals. The biggest thing Leeds could do for both now and for the long-term future of the club, is secure Bielsa to a new deal. The Whites are indebted to the Argentine for finally leading them out of the Championship, and doing so in a way which has made them into one of the most exciting teams in the country – they scored the second-highest amount of goals in the division with 77 last season. Would any other manager have gotten as much out of the current Leeds squad as Bielsa? Arguably not. He comes with a world-renowned reputation, and that just elevates Leeds’ profile as a club. Players want to learn under the best managers in the world, and when the likes of Pep Guardiola are hailing the current Whites boss as their reference point, then you know you’ve got someone special in charge. The best thing Leeds could do this summer is tie Bielsa down to a new contract. #PhilHay #LeedsUnited #MarceloBielsa

After suffering relegation back in 2004, very few could surely have imagined a scenario where Leeds still wouldn’t be in the Premier League 15 years later. But the Whites have finally managed to make their return to the promised land, and it has been a journey full of highs, and even bigger lows. Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival as manager at Elland Road seemed to spark new life, and but for a late season collapse last year, they would have already been in the top-flight. But this time around, the Whites have had no such slip-up, and they can finally call themselves a Premier League club again. And taking to Twitter, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay revealed the people the club must thank for their top-flight return. So many hands involved in promotion – Radrizzani, Bielsa, Orta, Kinnear, backroom team, crowds and, not least, a squad who took the crack of Bielsa’s whip and ran with it. This will stand out as a unique period of the club’s history. — Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2020 Bielsa no doubt deserves a large amount of credit for getting this team to perform on the pitch, but the work done behind the scenes by the likes of Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta, amongst others, has been equally important. It’s been a collective effort from top to bottom, and the fans have played their part in it too. They may not have seen their team play Premier League football for a number of years, but still Elland Road has been packed to the rafters. It took everyone mucking in to get over the line, but Leeds United can finally look forward to top-flight football once more. #PhilHay #LeedsUnited #TheAthletic

Leeds United still await news on the resumption of the Premier League season, but this has seemingly not stopped them from preparing ahead for next season. This was the suggestion from Phil Hay in a recent Q&A on The Athletic. A series of questions were asked about the goalkeeping position and whether reported interest in Burnley’s veteran shot-stopper, Joe Hart, held any truth. Hay gave these two responses: “I was told today of a Premier League keeper who Leeds are looking at closely. Need to check it out a bit more but I strongly suspect they’ll be on the look-out – as well as taking Meslier permanently. “I haven’t had any reliable confirmation of interest in Hart. Another PL keeper was mentioned to me today, although I need to check that out a little more. Someone more suited to Bielsa’s style.” The situation between the sticks will be an interesting conundrum for Marcelo Bielsa to solve this summer. There are doubts over the future of Kiko Casilla following his lengthy ban for racism whilst backup glovesman Illan Meslier is only on loan – but Hay does hint that Leeds would like him permanently alongside this mystery top-flight man. IS IT HAALAND SNR OR DAVID HOPKINS? YOUR LEEDS KNOWLEDGE WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST WITH THIS QUIZ… WORLD CLASS SCORE: 95% | EXPERT SCORE: 80% | VETERAN SCORE: 65% | INTERMEDIATE SCORE: 45% | AMATEUR SCORE: 30% | TRY AGAIN: 5% Outside of the aforementioned duo, it’s merely youth pickings, so someone with experience at the highest level may be a wise move to make. AND in other news,Phil Hay hints at Championship return date for Leeds… #PhilHay #JoeHart #LeedsUnited

A recent tweet from The Athletic’s Phil Hay has left loads of Leeds United fans talking this week. The reliable Whites reporter relayed vital information from the Premier League as they confirmed their return to action on June 17th meaning the season appears to be getting back underway. Meanwhile, the Championship are yet to follow suit but Hay expects there to be an announcement over full-contact training soon. Some United supporters couldn’t contain their excitement as they believe Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be back on the pitch in the near future too. PHILLLLLLLLLLLL — Tom Banks (@tombanksUK) May 28, 2020 Whoooooop — RC (@1919rory) May 28, 2020 pic.twitter.com/KfkxkPO166 — Alex Jack (@AlMalJack) May 28, 2020 Getting giddy — lufc_cob (@lufc_cob) May 28, 2020 The west Yorkshire outfit currently sit top of the Championship tree with only nine games remaining. Their seven-point cushion has them in a very healthy and advantageous position meaning their destiny is firmly in their hands. It has been 16 years since Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League and in that time they’ve been to League One and back. IS IT HAALAND SNR OR DAVID HOPKINS? YOUR LEEDS KNOWLEDGE WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST WITH THIS QUIZ… WORLD CLASS SCORE: 95% | EXPERT SCORE: 80% | VETERAN SCORE: 65% | INTERMEDIATE SCORE: 45% | AMATEUR SCORE: 30% | TRY AGAIN: 5% Some members of the Elland Road faithful believe it’s finally time and that they’ll go up as champions. WE ARE GOING UP SAY WE ARE GOING UP #lufc https://t.co/ji1ag9W521 — kippaxwhite (@kippaxwhite) May 28, 2020 DESTIANTION PREMIER LEAGUE BABYYYYYYYYY https://t.co/TCln3sFWXS — H (@HarryLMA0) May 28, 2020 Let’s win this on merit ! I’m confident… — Champions of Europe (@superleedsutd72) May 28, 2020 Announce Leeds champions — Rossi (@rossloco93) May 28, 2020 Although the league’s front-runners have a notorious history with ‘bottling it’ – as seen last season where they led the division for large spells before sinking to third place after poor form in the final ten games or so. And this has a few in Yorkshire rather worried, suggesting that the same scenario could indeed repeat itself. Gonna bottle it aren’t we 🤣 https://t.co/f0z3yDW9LI — Kie Lamb (@kielamb) May 28, 2020 GULP https://t.co/2aS0TbkaEQ — Sam (@SJJLeeds) May 28, 2020 Buzzing now that after a couple of months talking about every which way the league could be ended early and have Leeds crowned as champions that we're actually going to play it out, slip to 3rd again and lose to Preston in the play offs https://t.co/PrdpQw5xsX — Aleks (@Aleks__1919) May 28, 2020 A seven-point lead. 27 points left to play for. An arguably favourable fixture list. Surely Bielsa’s men do it? Only time will tell. WHILE in other news, reports link Leeds with swoop for long-time Bielsa target this summer… #PhilHay #LeedsFans #LeedsFansReact

'It won’t be a problem': Phil Hay reveals Leeds' plans regarding versatile defender - originally posted on Sportslens.com Leeds United will have to take some big decisions in the next few months. However, all of those are somehow inextricably linked to achieving promotion. Promotion to the Premier League will almost guarantee Marcelo Bielsa’s long-term future at the cub. After that, they will also act quickly to deal with the situation of players who are either on loan or whose contracts are expiring. According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, Leeds United want Gaetano Berardi to stay but as of now there hasn’t been any deal agreed with the player. The 31-year-old versatile defender has a contract at the club till June 30. Obviously, the remaining fixtures won’t be completed before that period. Hay claims that Leeds will agree a short-term extension to cover the remaining matches with the Switzerland defender. However, a substantial renewal will depend on whether Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League. The best part is – both Leeds and Bielsa want the player to stay. He could be tempted to go back to Italy, but the offer of Premier League football is equally attractive to him. However, Berardi probably won’t stay with Leeds if they fail to secure promotion. The 31-year-old has made 17 appearances in the Championship this season. Hay wrote for The Athletic: “My understanding is that as the first port of call, he and the club will agree a short-term extension to cover the remaining matches. It won’t be a problem. After that, a more substantial renewal might depend on which division Leeds are in.” From Sportslens.com - Football News | Football Blog #GaetanoBerardi #LeedsUnited #PhilHay

Leeds United’s short-term future is relatively unknown and the same goes for their manager, Marcelo Bielsa. The west Yorkshire outfit extended his contract by a further 12 months a year ago, meaning he is soon out of contract at Elland Road. Currently, the Championship season is on hold but players have returned to training ahead of a possible resumption, so there’s a chance that the remaining nine games are played and then the club can discuss what will happen with the Argentine. But there’s also a chance the season is finished early where the EFL will decide the final standings via an unweighted points-per-game system. It would see Leeds win the division, though the onus would be on the Premier League going ahead with relegation for them to be a top-flight team next term. The Athletic’s Phil Hay has provided fans with some sort of update over Bielsa’s future in a recent Q&A article. He said: Hay claims that neither side are discussing a contract extension just yet but the pragmatic 64-year-old is still planning for next season. He goes on to say that there’s almost a guarantee Bielsa stays at the club if they are competing in the Premier League next season, but “all bets are off” if it’s yet another year in the Championship. CALL YOURSELF A LEEDS EXPERT? HOW MUCH DID EACH OF THESE JANUARY SIGNINGS COST? Therefore these next few weeks are going to prove rather crucial for the future of Leeds as it’s clear to see that the cult hero has already transformed the club substantially. Likely back-to-back top-three finishes and on the verge of a Premier League spot for the first time in 16 years. The Bielsa impact. AND in other news,Leeds fans debate rarely-seen ace’s PL credentials… #MarceloBielsa #PhilHay #LeedsUnited

Leeds United fans have flocked to one of Phil Hay’s tweets this week after he shared an emerging story from his employers, The Athletic. The piece in question is by David Ornstein and involves club medics warning the Premier League that they believe a return to football isn’t safe whatsoever, and this obviously will have the same effect to Championship clubs such as the Whites. THE SINGLE TOUGHEST FOOTBALL LOGO QUIZ OF ALL TIME… WORLD CLASS SCORE: 95% | EXPERT SCORE: 80% | VETERAN SCORE: 65% | INTERMEDIATE SCORE: 45% | AMATEUR SCORE: 30% | TRY AGAIN: 5% He claims that doctors have written to the top-flight seeking urgent answers and raising concerns surrounding any comeback to match action. With Leeds’ promotion chances hanging in the balance, much of the Elland Road faithful have chimed in with their thoughts on the matter. Marcelo Bielsa’s side currently sit top of the Championship standings, holding a seven-point cushion over those in the playoff positions and had looked like ending their 16-year absence from England’s elite division. The EFL have constantly maintained that they would like to resume the season when it is safe to do so, but time appears to be running out after Rick Parry’s deadline of the end of July. It remains to be seen if football will continue – and whether or not Leeds will be promoted. Here’s what fans have been saying… Finish all the Premier League games and declare the Championship finished via PPG. This is the only possible solution imo — Dan (@lufc_dan) May 5, 2020 This is why they need to hurry up and make a decision. Too many people having a say and putting things into peoples heads. — Matt Ski (@dzialowskimatt) May 5, 2020 Surely PPG is the only fair option ? Can’t see how it’s a debate tbh — eddieleeds (@eddieleeds1) May 5, 2020 Its ridiculous my working team hasn’t stopped working since this began we put things in place to protect best as possible and get on with it, you cant tell me that football teams in the prem and wven champ, don’t have the resources to make it “as safe as possible” there will — ON ON ON!! (@scotttownend2) May 5, 2020 That’s that then. There won’t be any more football in the UK this year. A damning article that puts any question of resumption into perspective. 1) This season should finish next year. Cancel 20/21 altogether. 2) devastating for so many EFL clubs. How will small clubs cope?! — James Somers (@JSomers90) May 5, 2020 fighting a losing battle in the time frames they want to do this. France aimed for September… that’s probably more realistic — Dirty Leeds ¡Carajo! (@DirtyLeedsFC) May 5, 2020 End the season NOW — Mike (@Mike69846200) May 5, 2020 its bizarre that its ok for many other businesses to be open…but not footballers? — Halloween Jack (@halloweenjack01) May 5, 2020 Getting well fed up of reading nonsense everyday just end the season PPG — Liam R (@lamar2k19) May 5, 2020 End the season now on PPG. 3 up and 3 down. Sack off the euros. Start the new season in January when it’s safe to do so. Season will then fall in line with World Cup dates — Lee.ds (@anyoldsport) May 5, 2020 Honestly this is absolutely laughable. Here’s the thing (overpaid Premier league players and medics), get on with it, get out of the way or disband the league and lose your undeserved wealth. — John E. Jay (@JohnEJay6) May 5, 2020 AND in other news, Leeds fans go berserk over Graham Smyth claim… #LeedsFans #PhilHay #LeedsUnited

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has suggested on Twitter that finishing the Premier League season without relegation would be “an embarrassment on numerous levels”, which has drawn an interesting reaction from many Leeds United fans. English football has been suspended for nearly two months and it now seems as if we may be moving toward a decision on if, how, and when the 2019/20 campaign will be concluded. It is understood that Premier League clubs are set to vote on the terms of ‘Project Restart’ on Friday, though it appears there is some opposition to it. A report from the Mirror has claimed that the bottom six sides in the division spoke out against the current conditions proposed, which include playing games at neutral venues. According to BBC Sport, a growing number of sides would be willing to play at neutral venues if the threat of relegation was removed. Understandably, there has been some significant objections to the idea of playing out the rest of the season without promotion. Hay appears to be one such objector and took to Twitter yesterday to share an article on the topic from his colleague at The Athletic and voice his thoughts on the matter. Super Adam Crafton on the money here – Premier League games without relegation would be an embarrassment on numerous levels:https://t.co/trsLeSo7Lp — Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) May 5, 2020 Leeds are top of the Championship as things stand and looked frontrunners for promotion before the delay to the season. Removing Premier League relegation could endanger their chances of securing promotion and it appears a topic that Whites supporters are passionate about. Has Kalvin Phillips done these 12 things at Leeds United? Have a go now!Many Leeds fans took to Twitter to back Hay’s claim and express their own annoyance at the proposal. Read their reaction here: This whole situation is just depressing. “Sporting integrity” has been cast aside completely and self interest is running wild. The prem fees increasingly like an old boy’s club and the door is closed. — Tom Yeadon (@Yeadon1) May 5, 2020 Thing is Phil,realistically Liverpool have as good as won the league…I cant see there being european football if were being sensible….so removing relegation turns it into a procession — Adam Barlow (@AdamPaulBarlow) May 5, 2020 Exactly-my point all along. Play the remaining fixtures in a relatively short space of time-relegation & promotion issues resolved.Clubs without fear of going down put potential playoff clubs in trouble. 9 games-up & downs must remain. This is becoming ridiculous only 9 games fgs — David (@wizard_david04) May 5, 2020 Hits the Nail on the head! I would also stress the precedent any removal of relegation, voiding season would set for clubs to claim in future years against disruption to avoid the consequences of the competition they agreed to play within. Finish in best safest conditions or PPG — Robie (@TheRealRobNeal) May 5, 2020 Absolutely spot on this — CM (@ChrisMoulds01) May 5, 2020 I’m all for sticking all six clubs in non league and promoting the top 6 in the championship. Let’s be honest, they’d add way more “sporting integrity” to the league by actually trying to compete in a game rather than simply go through the up down money making process — Meefloaf (@Meefloaf) May 5, 2020 I hope we restart and Brighton and West Ham go down — lufcmat (@Mathew1982) May 5, 2020 If season ends now bottom 3 down. — mulvers (@mulvers) May 5, 2020 Click here to comment on this articleorGive us feedback on your Football League World experience #LeedsUnited #PhilHay #PremierLeague