Marcelo Bielsa isn't likely to be at Leeds United past the current season, according to emerging reports...

What's the word?

Football Insider claims that the Argentine head coach is under increasing pressure following a string of heavy defeats in the Premier League and he could be sacked as early as January.

A source at Thorp Arch has told the website that Bielsa "won’t be at Leeds next season" as many of the club's senior figures are beginning to accept that his fourth season in charge will be his last.

It's thought that the Yorkshire giants will look to bring in a replacement if their fears of getting sucked into a relegation battle grow in the coming weeks.

The 66-year-old remains popular amongst the club's fanbase despite their poor season as he has endured quite a nightmare with injuries throughout the campaign.

Bye-bye Bielsa?

Bielsa only signed a one-year extension on the eve of the new season and has only ever agreed to short-term deals, so there is always the risk that he moves on each and every summer.

Despite finding themselves only five points above the drop zone and at risk of being drawn into the relegation mire, around 66% of supporters polled by The Athletic still have faith in the Argentinan, whilst only 10% of fans had low or very low confidence in him turning things around.

It's evident that he's still an icon around west Yorkshire, so these reports suggesting that this season could well be his last are certainly worrying and it will surely leave much of the Elland Road faithful worried heading into 2022.

Sacking him as early as January would be pretty harsh considering everything he has done for United, even more so when you factor in the massive injury crisis at his door.

Nine of the 11 players that missed Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal were key first-team players. That is a major contributing factor to their struggles and they can rectify it at the turn of the year in the transfer window.

No one wants to see Bielsa and Leeds part ways in an acrimonious fashion, so this huge update from Thorp Arch is certainly a cause for concern.

AND in other news, Leeds can seal Bielsa's dream signing in £18m-rated "machine", he's better than Klich...