In 'Shocking' Move, Messi Asks Barcelona Board To Replace Boss Setien With An Argentinian: Report

Lionel Messi reportedly has asked Barcelona board to replace the club’s current manager Quique Setien with Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.

The news is considered to be a setback for the English club that won the Championship title under Bielsa’s management this season and are set to return to the Premier League in 2020-21, for the very first time since 2004. Last season, Leeds missed out on the Championship title after losing to Derby in their play-off semi-final clash.

It is understood that Leeds are desperate to tie Bielsa in a new lucrative contract in reward for bringing the side back to the top tier of English football league after a gap of 16 long years. Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta and owner Andrea Radrizzani have been in talks with Bielsa over the past week but the two parties are yet to reach an agreement.

In a "shocking" development at FC Barcelona, Soccer Website Teamtalk has reported that Messi has urged the Barcelona board to lure Bielsa to Spain as a replacement for Setien, who took over the charge of the team earlier this season when Ernesto Valverde was sacked.

After winning the La Liga the last two seasons, Messi’s side lost the trophy to rivals Real Madrid this season and that has added to Barcelona’s list of miseries including on and off the field fiascos with Josep Maria Bartomeu's future as club president under threat.

While Bartomeu wants to sign club legend Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona’s new manager, Messi is understood to have suggested his compatriot as he believes Bielsa, who is also idolized by Pep Guardiola for his coaching beliefs, is the best man to revive Barcelona’s glory days. The report has also added that the La Liga giants have not approached Leeds yet about the same so these reports will force the English side to speed up Bielsa’s contract renewal process.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are currently alive in the UEFA Champions League. They are set to host Napoli in their Round of 16, second leg, having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Italy. Messi and Co. have not won the prestigious European trophy since 2015.