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Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa wants the West Ham job.

The former Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach is understood to have rejected interest from Italian club Sampdoria.

Bielsa has made it clear to the Hammers that he would rather move to the Premier League to succeed Sam Allardyce.

It is a boost for the East Londoners, who had already had the 59-year-old, currently learning English, on their shortlist.

With their move to the Olympic Stadium just 12 months away, West Ham want a big name capable of taking them to the next level.

They want to be playing in Europe and to be reaching the latter stages of the domestic cup competitions.

On a tight budget, Bielsa has led Marseille into next season’s Europa League, having been narrowly beaten to a Champions League spot by Monaco.

After his club’s 3-0 win over Bastia at the weekend, Bielsa - whose contract is coming to an end - congratulated the players individually but refused to confirm whether he would be staying.

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Allardyce left Upton Park by mutual consent in the wake of West Ham’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday.

The Hammers have already missed out on Rafa Benitez, having agreed terms on a three-year deal with him before Real Madrid moved in to open talks .

Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has rejected several offers to return to England and wants to stay in Spain.

Although Slaven Bilic, set to leave Besiktas, is the bookies’ favourite, the Hammers are in no rush and are looking at other options.

Bielsa, who led Argentina to Olympic Gold and the Copa America Final in 2004, has a reputation for attacking football - with an emphasis on fitness - based around hard workers rather than star names.

He is also a combustible figure who refused to play players bought for him at Marseille that he didn’t want.

Last summer Diafra Sakho and Mauro Zarate were among the players at West Ham brought in even though Allardyce had not been in complete agreement.

Bielsa would, however, fit the ambitious profile of the kind of manager that West Ham are now hoping to attract.

(Image: Jasper Juinen)

The Irons want Allardyce’s successor to continue the club’s tradition of bringing through their academy talents.

Bielsa helped Chile - where he worked with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez - to the World Cup in 2010. The achievement - following two tournament absences - came after he fast-tracked youngsters and brought in a more attacking mindset.

Bielsa also led Athletic Bilbao, where he worked with Manchester United’s Ander Herrera, to the Copa del Rey and Europa League finals three years ago.

At Marseille he had the club in title contention until defeats over the second half of the season ended their chances.

He has still finished with the club’s highest points tally for several years.

In pictures - Newcastle v West Ham