Lille owner 'optimistic' about Bielsa hiring

Lille's new owner, Gerard Lopez, is "optimistic" the club will appoint Marcelo Bielsa manager despite delays.

The former Formula 1 team boss was officially named Lille's owner after a takeover was announced earlier in the year, and without a permanent manager in place, Lopez is eyeing former Marseille gaffer Bielsa.

"I'm optimistic about it. If it happens, it won't be a one-year contract. I get on well with him. He's a perfectionist. What remains to be sorted out is not what people think. There are other things that are important for him," Lopez told RMC.

Frederic Antonetti was sacked by Les Dogues in November, with his former assistant Patrick Collot taking over on an interim basis as Lopez's takeover was being finalised. Under Collot, Lille's enjoyed a modest resurgence, climbing to 13th despite a limp goal-scoring record of 19 in 20.

Even with Collot's efforts highlighted by 12 points in seven matches, Lopez said discussions with Bielsa are well underway.

"There's been an agreement for a long time now. Certain things need to be put in place, things that are rather private. If it were only about a contract, length, salary ... The problem isn't there. I would say it's 50-50. The reason why is private. If that thing is sorted out, it's 100 percent. If not, it's zero percent," Lopez said.

It would appear that Collot is on the hot seat - a spot Bielsa is more than familiar with after sitting on a scalding cup of coffee during a match bossing Olympique in 2015.

The former Lotus F1 owner added that Bielsa and Lille sporting director, Luis Campos, have already discussed additions to the squad. Those talks included Ligue 1 vet Collot.

"There's no discussion about players that does not involve getting opinions," Lopez said. "Marcelo is such a good friend that I contact him. And Luis contacts him about a variety of subjects. They talk almost daily."

With spells bossing Argentina and top-flight sides including Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille, and Lazio, Bielsa would bring varied experiences and his trademark 3-3-3-1 formation to the northeast. That said, the two latter tenures could be concerning for Les Dogues' supporters.

After quitting one match into his second season with Marseille, Bielsa was appointed Lazio gaffer only to quit two days later.

Lopez appears to be keeping other options open while targeting the 61-year-old Argentine.

"It's possible. It's not far from what could happen," Lopez admitted. "There are other coaches with whom we're in contact. There is also the current coach who we want to support because he has done good work."