Leeds United have announced the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as their new head coach.
The experienced Argentine takes charge at Elland Road on a two-year deal, with the Championship club holding an option to extend for a further year on top.
Bielsa - who has been out of work since the end of last year - takes over a club that finished 13th in the English second tier last season, though his arrival is a clear sign of Leeds' ambitions under chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
✍️ | #LUFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa in the role of head coach
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 15, 2018
"I am delighted to accept the role of head coach at Leeds United," Bielsa said in an official statement.
"It has always been my ambition to work in England and I have had several opportunities to do so during my career, however I have always felt it was important to wait for the right project to come along and so when a club with Leeds United’s history made me an offer, it was impossible to turn down."
His reign was even shorter at Lazio - the 62-year-old was in the job for just two days before having a change of heart - but he is highly regarded by his peers.
Leeds sacked Paul Heckingbottom in June after just four months in charge, revealing at the time their desire to appoint a more experienced coach for the 2018-19 campaign and beyond.
💬 | New #LUFC head coach Marcelo Bielsa on his appointment today pic.twitter.com/SOtFJteSqH
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 15, 2018
"I am thrilled to welcome Marcelo and his staff to Leeds United," Radrizzani said.
"He is a coach that I have admired for many years and when the opportunity arose to bring him to Elland Road, we made it our top priority for the summer.
"Marcelo has a wealth of experience and he will use that to create a new culture and a winning mentality at our football club."
