Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa says he'll return to Athletic Bilbao if Inaki Arechabaleta wins Friday's election.

The Argentine has confirmed he is on presidential candidate Arechabaleta's ticket.

He admits he recommended to Arechabaleta that Marcelino be kept on, but after the coach's resignation, Bielsa chose to step up.

Bielsa said, "In the month of March I had a contact with Inaki Arechabaleta and he proposed this possibility to me. It is a great responsibility to be Athletic Club's coach. I needed some time to give him an answer.

"I told Arechabaleta that the best thing was for Marcelino to continue because he had room for growth. Finally, after Marcelino's decision, I began to think about giving him a positive answer.

“The quality of this team is comparable to what it had 10 years ago. I am excited to join a group that can try to have a version of a similar level to that of 2011-2013."