Former England striker Stan Collymore believes that Mauricio Pochettino could be an ideal replacement for Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United manager.

The Lowdown: Bielsa's contract up

The 66-year-old has done a magnificent job as Whites boss, guiding them from the Championship back into the Premier League and finishing ninth in their first season back in the big time.

Not only that, Leeds have played some of their best football in decades at the same time, with most supporters adoring their current manager.

The Whites have struggled so far in 2021/22, though, and with Bielsa's current deal expiring next summer, there is no guarantee that he will extend his stay at Elland Road.

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The Latest: Pochettino backed to come in

When asked about the prospect of Pochettino replacing Bielsa further down the line, Collymore took to Twitter to say that it would be an ideal appointment. The 50-year-old gushed:

"I'd be very excited if he turned up at Elland Rd. Proven track record in player development, would take on Bielsa ball to a pragmatic new level, does well with relatively smaller squads. I like the sound of it. Very exciting potentially."

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The Verdict: Fantastic potential replacement

The hope is that Leeds' results improve and Bielsa stays on as Leeds manager beyond this season, with the 66-year-old still the right man for the job despite a recent slump. He has proved over three years at Elland Road that he should be trusted.

That being said, if he decided that he had taken his team far enough, then Pochettino could be the perfect man to come in for him, with the 49-year-old shining at Tottenham, most notably taking them to the 2019 Champions League final and consistently qualifying them for the tournament.

He has also hailed Bielsa as a 'genius' in the past, taking inspiration from the Leeds gaffer's management style, so it could be a seamless transition if he is chosen as the veteran's successor in the Elland Road dugout.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided an update regarding Leeds' interest in one player. Find out who it is here.