Long-term Ryan Kent fan Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked by Leeds United – potentially putting an end to the Elland Road club’s long-term interest in the talented Ibrox winger.
Marcelo Bielsa, 66, has been sacked by the Premier League outfit after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, the defeat the latest in a run of heavy losses sustained this season.
The Spurs loss tops off a run of four straight defeats to Liverpool (6-0), Man United (4-2) and Everton (3-0) that leaves the Elland Road club 16th in the English top flight.
Bielsa’s legacy at Leeds United is earning promotion back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence with ex-RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch the frontrunner to replace him.
But specifically concerned to Rangers, the Leeds United decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa could have a knock-on effect when it comes to long-term interest in Ryan Kent.
Marcelo Bielsa a fan of Rangers winger Ryan Kent
Leeds United had a reported £10m bid rejected for Ryan Kent at the beginning of last season [BBC Sport] with links between the two parties persistent over the last few years and the most recent concerning £15m interest [Scottish Sun].
Marcelo Bielsa also reportedly tried to sign Ryan Kent during his time at Liverpool and is a “long-term admirer” of the winger [TalkSPORT].
With Kent, 25, set to enter the final year of his contract at Rangers come the end of the season – and the club having shelled out £7m to bring him to Ibrox [the Times] – there are clear fears about the winger moving on come the summer.
This is likely if Rangers cannot tie Ryan Kent down to a new contract, something Giovanni van Bronckhorst remains confident of doing, with the Premier League often cited as the likeliest destination should Kent leave Ibrox.
Leeds United have been the name most prominently linked throughout Ryan Kent’s career but now Marcelo Bielsa has left the club, that interest remains unclear.
Certain managers always have their own specific targets but such is the infrastructure in football now, transfer business is designed to have a level of continuity.
But what is clear is that Ryan Kent is a man on resurgent form at Rangers, showing across the 180 minutes against Borussia Dortmund how much quality he possesses.
The Ibrox winger paid tribute to a thumping Ibrox support in the 2-2 draw with Dortmund during the week but it was his performance that at times proved the difference in an iconic tie.
