Former Granada boss Diego Martinez is the 'front-runner' to replace Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United manager, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The Lowdown: Bielsa's future unknown

The 66-year-old Argentine has been an incredible manager for the Whites since taking charge back in 2018, guiding them back into the Premier League and leading them to ninth upon their top-flight return. However, he only signed a one-year contract extension in the summer and it is currently unknown if he will do the same at the end of the season.

One figure who has been linked with the Leeds job in the past few weeks is Martinez, whose most recent role was at Granada, prior to leaving in May of this year.

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The Latest: O'Rourke makes Martinez claim

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O'Rourke claimed that the 41-year-old is the most likely manager to replace Bielsa at Leeds, should the Argentine move on in the near future.

The journalist said: "I think Diego Martinez is probably the front-runner for me. He's out of work. Victor Orta's got the Spanish connection with Martinez. He plays an attacking, innovative style of football as well."

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The Verdict: Ideal candidate?

Martinez may be a relative unknown in England but he looks an exciting candidate to come in and potentially replace Bielsa at Elland Road.

He guided Granada back into La Liga, much in the way Bielsa did with getting Leeds into the Premier League, also taking them to the top of the Spanish table for a brief period in 2019/20, as well as the Europa League quarter-finals last term.

The fact that Martinez has reportedly been in England studying the game suggests that he could be eyeing up the Whites job, and the attacking style of play to which O'Rourke refers is similar to Bielsa's. Put those pieces together and it seems a real possibility that the 41-year-old could be the next man for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has discussed the prospect of a Leeds player joining another Premier League club. Read more here.