Football
Selene Scarsi 8y

Lazio 'very close' to Marcelo Bielsa appointment - sporting director

Lazio are on the verge of appointing Marcelo Bielsa as their new coach, according to the Italian club's sporting director.

Bielsa and Cesare Prandelli are the primary candidates currently being considered by the Biancocelesti, with caretaker coach Simone Inzaghi's hopes of keeping the job on a permanent basis having faded.

Sporting director Igli Tare, who is currently in France for the European Championship, told L'Equipe that he is now closing in on the appointment of the former Marseille coach Bielsa.

"Yes, Lazio are close -- very close -- to appointing Bielsa," Tare said. "We'll see when the contract is actually signed, though, because anything can happen in football, but to have the chance to work with a coach with such a great international standing could only bring positive things to our club."

Lazio finished eighth in Serie A last season after being beaten by Bayer Leverkusen in the playoff for a place in the group stage of the Champions League, setting the tone for a disappointing season in which Stefano Pioli was dismissed in April. 

Inzaghi won four and lost three of his seven games in charge, but that does not appear to have been enough to earn him the job permanently.

Meanwhile, former Italy coach Prandelli said last week that he had already reached a verbal agreement and shaken hands with Lazio president Claudio Lotito, and that he was just waiting for his appointment to be announced.

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