Marcelo Bielsa

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Bielsa and the second or maternal family name is Caldera.

Marcelo Bielsa
Bielsa with Olympique de Marseille in 2015
Personal information
Full name Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera[1][2]
Date of birth (1955-07-21) 21 July 1955 (age 69)[2]
Place of birth Rosario, Argentina[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Uruguay (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975–1977 Newell's Old Boys 25 (0)
1978–1979 Instituto 40 (0)
1979–1980 Argentino de Rosario 48 (0)
Total 113 (0)
International career
1976 Argentina U23 4 (0)
Managerial career
1987–1990 Newell's Old Boys II
1990–1992 Newell's Old Boys
1993–1995 Atlas
1995–1996 América
1997–1998 Vélez Sarsfield
1998 Espanyol
1998–2004 Argentina
2004 Argentina U23
2007–2011 Chile
2011–2013 Athletic Bilbao
2014–2015 Marseille
2016 Lazio
2017 Lille
2018–2022 Leeds United
2023– Uruguay
2023–2024 Uruguay U23
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Argentina (as manager)
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens Team
Copa América
Runner-up 2004 Peru Team
Representing  Uruguay (as manager)
Copa América
Third place 2024 United States Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera[2] ([maɾˈselo alˈβeɾto ˈβjelsa],[a] nicknamed El Loco Bielsa [ˈloko ˈβjelsa],[a] meaning 'The Madman Bielsa'; born 21 July 1955) is an Argentine professional football manager who is the current manager of the Uruguay national team.[3] He is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches of all time.[4][5][6][7] Bielsa is a former player having played as a defender for Newell's Old Boys, Instituto and Argentino de Rosario.

Bielsa played as a defender in Newell's Old Boys' First Division team and was a member of Argentina U23 in the 1976 Pre-Olympic Tournament,[8] but retired when he was 25 to focus on coaching.[9][10] Bielsa has managed several football clubs and also the national teams of Argentina and Chile. He developed his career as coach of Newell's Old Boys where he won several titles in the early 1990s, before moving to Mexico in 1992, briefly coaching Club Atlas and Club América. Bielsa returned to Argentina in 1997 to manage Vélez Sarsfield, leading them to the 1998 league title (Clausura).[11]

With Chile, he achieved cult status due to the improved results of the national team under his leadership.[12] His personality and gestures during his stint in Chile captured the attention of media and unleashed a series of minor controversies both in sports and politics.[13][14] He had a two year-spell in Spain at Athletic Bilbao between 2011 and 2013, leading them to domestic and continental cup finals in the first season, though they lost both. In May 2014, Bielsa was appointed coach of Marseille, starting with good results but finishing outside the expected first three places in Ligue 1, resigning after just over a year at the French club.[15] He remains highly regarded by OM fans for his offensive playing style and personality.[16]

In June 2018, Bielsa was appointed manager of then-Championship club Leeds United, leading the club to promotion back to the Premier League in 2020 after a 16-year absence as a result of winning the 2019–20 EFL Championship. Leeds United is the club at which he spent the most time as manager in his career,[17][18][19] taking charge of 170 games before departing in February 2022. He is considered a cult figure among Leeds fans.

In 2023, he became manager of Uruguay, becoming only the second non-Uruguayan manager to coach the team. He led Uruguay to two record-breaking wins against Brazil and Argentina.

Managerial career

[edit]

In 1980, after retiring from playing in football, Bielsa decided to start a career as a football manager. His first job was coaching the youth divisions of Newell's. In 1990, he was given the task of managing their first team, where he would go on to win the 1990 Torneo Apertura and the 1990–91 Torneo Integración, defeating Boca Juniors on penalties. Bielsa managed the squad that competed in the final of the 1992 Copa Libertadores, losing to São Paulo on penalties. Weeks after the Libertadores defeat, Bielsa and Newell's won the 1992 Torneo Clausura.[20][21] After a period in Mexico, he returned to Argentina and won another league title – the 1998 Clausura – while coaching Vélez Sarsfield.[22]

Argentina national team

[edit]

In 1998, Bielsa was given the job of manager at Spanish La Liga side Espanyol, but he soon left after being offered the management of the Argentina national team later that year, taking over after a four-year period by Daniel Passarella as manager. At the 1999 Copa América, Argentina were beaten 3–0 by Colombia in a game where Argentina forward Martin Palermo missed three penalties and Bielsa was sent off. On Bielsa's post match reaction, Tim Vickery of the BBC wrote:

In the press conference he sat staring into space, refusing to make eye contact with anyone – his usual stance. He was asked what he had made of the referee's performance. If the question was predictable, the answer was anything but. "One doesn't usually have the habit of commenting on referees, but…" he said, leaving everyone to believe he would continue with a rant about a joker running amok with a whistle. Instead he proceeded with, "but in respect of my expulsion, the referee was absolutely correct because I protested in an ill mannered form."[23]

Argentina won the qualification group for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but did not progress through the first knockout round at the tournament.[24] Despite this, Bielsa stayed on his position as Argentine manager. The Albicelestes were runners-up in the 2004 Copa América[25] and won the 2004 Olympic Games' gold medal.[26] With the latter, his team became the first Latin American team to win the Olympic title in football since 1928 (when Uruguay beat Argentina in the final), the first Argentinian Olympic gold medal in 52 years.[27] Bielsa, however, resigned at the end of 2004, being succeeded by José Pékerman.[28]

Chile national team

[edit]
Bielsa at a press conference in 2009, Santiago, Chile

Under Bielsa's guidance, the Chile national team underwent many positive and negative historic firsts. For the first time in its history, Chile was able to earn a point playing Uruguay away in Montevideo. Chile also suffered their worst defeat ever when playing at home during qualifiers losing 3–0 against Paraguay. This historic low was repeated with a Chile loss of 3–0 against Brazil, which also marked the first home loss against Brazil in a qualification game in nearly 50 years. On 15 October 2008, however, Bielsa masterminded a 1–0 win over his native Argentina, Chile's first win ever over Argentina in an official match; Argentina's loss prompted the resignation of its coach Alfio Basile.[29]

Chile soundly beat Peru 3–1 in Lima, a location where they last won in 1985. Bielsa then led Chile to a 2–0 win at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium against hosts Paraguay, obtaining an away triumph on this location for the first time in almost 30 years. The team continued the road to the 2010 World Cup with a victory over Bolivia, 4–0. After a 2–2 tie against Venezuela in Santiago, and travelling to Brazil to lose 2–4, Chile finally achieved qualification to the World Cup after defeating Colombia 4–2, a result that was also Chile's first ever away win against the Colombians.

By helping Chile qualify for a World Cup after two tournament absences, Bielsa attained great popularity there. His appointment brought about visible changes in the Chilean set-up, with the fast-tracking of young talents and a more attacking mindset away from home.[30] Due to the rumors that Bielsa would not continue to lead Chile after finishing their campaign at the World Cup, Chilean fans campaigned for him to remain as coach, with the movement titled "Bielsa is NOT leaving!"[31] Chile reached the round of 16 of the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Brazil.[32] On 2 August 2010, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, President of the Chilean Football Board, announced that Bielsa would remain with the Chile team until 2015.[33] Bielsa, however, stated that he would leave his position if Jorge Segovia was elected as the new President of the Chilean Football Board.[34] He followed through on this threat, despite Segovia's election being annulled, and resigned in February 2011.[35]

According to Hermógenes Pérez de Arce, President of Chile Sebastián Piñera had a personal long-term interest in removing Mayne-Nicholls from the Presidency of the Chilean Football Board and pushed for him to be replaced.[36] Bielsa subsequently made headlines for his brief and cold greeting to Piñera in the farewell before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[37][14] Both Bielsa and Mayne-Nicholls had good relations with former president Michelle Bachelet, Piñera's political rival.[38]

Athletic Bilbao

[edit]
Bielsa as Athletic Bilbao manager in 2012

On 8 July 2011, Josu Urrutia announced Athletic Bilbao would appoint Bielsa as manager after Urrutia promised the appointment of Bielsa in his campaign to become president of the club.[39] On 18 August 2011, Bielsa took charge of his first game at San Mamés, drawing 0–0 against Turkish side Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League play-offs.[40]

On 3 October 2011, Bielsa, a devout Roman Catholic, visited the Poor Clares of Guernica, Spain, alongside his wife. He wanted them to pray for his team, which they continued to do.[41] The players began to adjust to the changes as the season progressed, and following an away victory at local rivals Real Sociedad. Athletic Bilbao produced a good run of autumn form which included wins over Paris Saint-Germain, Osasuna and Sevilla, as well as credible draws with Valencia and Barcelona, then only to drop points at home to newly promoted Granada.[42] The team also finished top of their UEFA Europa League group and defeated Lokomotiv Moscow in the last 32.

Athletic then drew Manchester United and in impressive style won 3–2 in the first leg at Old Trafford, going on to knock them out of the tournament with a 2–1 victory at home. In the quarter-final, they went to Schalke 04 and won the first leg 4–2, despite being 2–1 down after a Raúl brace on 72 minutes. Athletic drew the second leg against Schalke 2–2, going through to the semi-finals with a favourable aggregate score of 6–4 to face Sporting Clube de Portugal.[43][44][45]

After Athletic lost the first leg of the semi-final 2–1 in Lisbon, they overturned this result in the return leg and ran out 4–3 winners on aggregate when Fernando Llorente scored the winner in the 88th minute. This set up a match with Atlético Madrid in an all-Spanish Europa League final.[46][47][48] Athletic, however, would lose 3–0 in the final, played on 9 May at the Arena Națională, Bucharest.[49][50][51] On 25 May 2012, Athletic also lost the Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, falling 3–0.[52]

The 2012–13 season was a major disappointment for Athletic: the sale of key midfielder Javi Martínez to Bayern Munich, and striker Fernando Llorente being frozen out of the club over contract disagreements, led to the Lions' performances faltering. After finishing only in 12th place in La Liga, on 7 June 2013 Athletic's president revealed that Bielsa would not be offered a new contract. When it expired on 30 June 2013, he left the club.

Marseille

[edit]

On 2 May 2014, Marseille president Vincent Labrune announced the hiring of Bielsa as his team's coach on RMC, a French radio station.[53] Labrune had previously confirmed an agreement in principle had been reached after the club's 0–0 Ligue 1 draw with Lille on 20 April. Bielsa signed a two-year contract set to begin after the 2014 World Cup, thus becoming the club's first Argentine coach.[54] He led them to the symbolic title of "autumn champions" after they beat Lille on Matchday 19 (on 21 December 2014) of the 2014–15 Ligue 1 season before they faded to finish fourth in Ligue 1 at the end of the season.[55] On 8 August 2015, after Marseille lost their opening 2015–16 Ligue 1 match against Caen, Bielsa announced his resignation due to conflicts with the club's management, stating that changes had been made to his contract.[56]

Lazio

[edit]

On 5 July 2016, Bielsa was appointed manager of Italian club Lazio of Serie A.[57] However, just two days later, on 8 July, Bielsa quit as the club's manager,[58] prompting Lazio to issue legal action against Bielsa for breach of contract, suing him for €50 million.[59] Bielsa later explained that the club had been unable to recruit the players he had wanted by the deadline he had given to the club and did not feel that his needs would be supported during the transfer window.[60][61]

Lille

[edit]

On 24 May 2017, Bielsa was unveiled as the new manager of Ligue 1 club Lille on a two-year contract.[62] Upon joining, Bielsa wanted to bring a more youthful side to Lille's squad[63] and before the season started he informed 11 experienced players including Vincent Enyeama, Marko Baša, Rio Mavuba and Eder that they could leave the club.[64] Then-Lille player Éric Bauthéac revealed that Bielsa informed the players he wanted to leave in a conversation before pre-season had even began.[65] Bielsa then signed younger 'promising' players such as Nicolas Pépé, Thiago Mendes, Thiago Maia, Kévin Malcuit, Fodé Ballo-Touré, Luiz Araújo and Edgar Ié.[66]

On 22 November 2017, Bielsa was suspended as coach after just 13 games in charge, with Lille announcing he had been "suspended momentarily as coach" pending further announcement. After Bielsa's initial suspension, Lille appointed a four-man 'technical coaching unit' of Fernando Da Cruz, Joao Sacramento, Benoit Delaval and Franck Mantaux.[67] On 15 December 2017, Lille announced Bielsa's contract had now been terminated.[68] Christophe Galtier was named as Bielsa's replacement as manager on 29 December 2017.[69] Sporting adviser Luis Campos said after Bielsa left that he felt the decision to let some of the experienced players leave was the key to the departure.[70]

Leeds United

[edit]

2018–19

[edit]

In June 2018, Bielsa became Championship club Leeds United's new head coach to replace Paul Heckingbottom, signing a two-year contract with the option of a third year. He became the highest-paid manager in Leeds United history.[71][72] Bielsa won his first three games, becoming the first Leeds manager to do so since Jimmy Armfield in 1974.[73] This extended to four games following victory over Rotherham United, making him the first Leeds United manager to record four consecutive wins at the start of their tenure.[74] He went on to lead Leeds through the first six Championship rounds unbeaten and to top of the league, and was awarded Championship Manager of the Month for August 2018 by the EFL.[75]

Bielsa's unbeaten start was ended on 22 September with a 2–1 home defeat, inflicted by Birmingham City, despite the home side having most of the possession and chances.[76] Bielsa's Leeds had to endure an extensive injury list with several of his squad picking up injuries within the first few months.[77] However, with Leeds still in the Championship automatic promotion positions at the start of December 2018,[78] Bielsa was praised for his integration of United academy players to cover the gaps[79] and over the course of 2018–19 he gave 10 players under 21 their senior debuts.[80] On 23 December, after a dramatic late 2–3 win against Aston Villa,[81] half-way through the season, Bielsa's Leeds side sat top of the Championship, despite continued injuries.[82] Bielsa was nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award for December 2018,[83] but lost to Hull City's Nigel Adkins.[84]

Before a 2–0 victory over Derby County on 11 January 2019, which increased Leeds' lead at the top of the table,[85] in the match build-up Bielsa admitted he had sent a spy to the Derby training ground,[86] after reports emerged that a man was spotted the previous day outside their training ground.[87][88] Derby manager Frank Lampard was critical of Bielsa's method.[89] On 12 January, Leeds United released a statement.[90] Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino described the incident as "not a big deal" and commonplace in Argentina.[91] Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, when asked about Bielsa due to his scouting methods, described him as "the best" and said "everyone who works with him is a better player and the teams are better. That's why he's a special manager and special person".[92] On 15 January, the EFL announced they would be investigating.[93] With intense media scrutiny on what was coined 'Spygate', dividing opinion,[94][95][96] on 16 January 2019, Bielsa announced a press briefing, where he gave an analysis of his research, detailing his meticulousness, thoroughness and preparation over his opponents,[97][98] with some journalists describing it as a 'coaching masterclass' and 'genius'.[99][100][101] Bielsa's 'Spygate' saga was resolved on the 18 February, when Leeds were fined £200,000 by the EFL for breach of a portion of Rule 3.4 of EFL Regulations ("In all matters and transactions relating to The League each Club shall behave towards each other Club and The League with the utmost good faith.),[102][103] with the EFL announcing a new rule, that teams could not watch opposition training up to 72 hours before a game.[102] It was revealed by Bielsa, that he paid the £200,000 fine out of his own pocket.[104] With Leeds in second place with just four games to go, and thus in the automatic promotion position ahead of rivals Sheffield United, on 19 April, Leeds lost in a shock 1–2 defeat against relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic, with Leeds playing 70 minutes against ten men after Wigan had Cédric Kipré sent off. The result proved costly, as Sheffield United overtook them on goal difference.[105]

On 28 April 2019, Bielsa made one of the most contentious managerial calls of the Championship season in Leeds' penultimate league game against Aston Villa, at Elland Road.[106][107][108] In the 72nd minute of a tight game between teams jostling for position in the playoffs, albeit with Leeds still mathematically able to gain automatic promotion, Villa's Jonathan Kodjia was injured and remained on the ground, Tyler Roberts passed the ball up the line to Mateusz Klich who took it up the left wing and put the ball into the far corner past Jed Steer. The goal – the first of the game – sparked pandemonium, with Villa's Conor Hourihane, Ahmed Elmohamady, Neil Taylor and Leeds' Patrick Bamford caught up in a fracas with Klich at its centre, which involved additional players from both sides and was eventually broken up by referee Stuart Attwell, Elland Road stewards and other players. In the immediate aftermath, Attwell sent off the peripherally involved Anwar El Ghazi with a straight red card[109] and Bielsa's response to his players was, in the interests of fairness and after consulting with Villa boss Dean Smith,[110] that his team should allow an unchallenged equaliser to be scored; Bielsa can be seen shouting "Give the goal! Give the goal!" from the touchline. From the restart, Albert Adomah essentially walked the ball into net unchallenged by 10 Leeds players, with only a frustrated and disbelieving Pontus Jansson giving chase and nearly dispossessing the forward. The game remained 1–1 and put the second automatic promotion spot mathematically out of reach for Leeds and saw them enter the play-offs. Bielsa and the team were awarded the 2019 FIFA Fair Play Award in September 2019, for their actions,[111] with the FIFA citation noting that "The game finished 1–1, ultimately allowing their promotion rivals Sheffield United to guarantee their automatic spot in the Premier League, at Leeds' expense. What was at stake makes Bielsa's act of sportmanship all the more remarkable".

At the end of 2018–19, with Leeds missing out on automatic promotion, Bielsa said he refused to blame the club for missing out on signing winger Daniel James, whose deal fell through dramatically on deadline day in the 2019 January transfer window, but said "I'm not underlying the importance of the absence of (Dan) James".[112] Leeds finished third and qualified for the playoffs, Leeds had key players out injured for their playoff campaign.[113] In the semi-final playoffs versus sixth-placed Derby County, they were beaten on 3–4 aggregate over the two legs. Despite taking a 1–0 win at Pride Park into the home leg at Elland Road, Bielsa's Leeds lost 4–2 in an encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men and Derby progress to the final against Aston Villa.[114] With Bielsa denying the narrative of 'Bielsa Burnout'[115] (journalists' theory that his sides tire in the second half of a season),[116][117] Bielsa said one of the big reasons Leeds failed to gain promotion was their profligacy in front of goal, saying that statistically Leeds needed more chances to score compared to their league rivals.[118][119]

2019–20: Promotion to the Premier League

[edit]
Banner in honour of Bielsa in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, following Leeds United's promotion to the Premier League

On 28 May 2019, Bielsa and Leeds jointly exercised the option on Bielsa's contract to continue as Leeds head coach for the following 2019–20 season.[120] After Bielsa had signed his new contract, Leeds announced the signings of Hélder Costa, Ben White (loan), Jack Harrison (loan), Jack Clarke (loan), Illan Meslier (loan) and Eddie Nketiah (loan) in their bid to get back to the Premier League in the 2019–20 EFL Championship season. Defender Pontus Jansson was told by Bielsa to return to training later than the rest of the first team squad in order to give him time to find a new club, with him no longer in Bielsa's plans for the upcoming season. Jansson was subsequently sold to Brentford.[121][122]

After beating Yorkshire rivals Barnsley on 15 September 2019, Bielsa's Leeds side remained top of the Championship after seven games during the 2019–20 EFL Championship.[123] Leeds continued to impress throughout November and Bielsa won the EFL Championship Manager of the Month for November.[124][125]

Bielsa's side returned to top of the league on 29 December 2019 thus ending the decade at the top of the Championship after a 4–5 victory in a dramatic win against Birmingham City.[126] On 1 January 2020, Leeds drew with then-second-placed West Bromwich Albion in a 1–1 draw. The result kept Leeds on top of the table on goal difference.[127] However, after the game it was revealed that Arsenal had recalled Eddie Nketiah.[128] Bielsa had also lost loanee Jack Clarke who had been recalled by Tottenham Hotspur,[129] with Bielsa stating that he would be looking to replace both players.[130] The club secured replacements for both players during the January transfer window, signing Jean-Kévin Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig and Ian Poveda on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Manchester City.[131][132]

After the English professional football season was paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was resumed during June. Under Bielsa, Leeds United secured promotion to the Premier League on 17 July 2020 with two matches remaining of the 2019–20 season and also became the EFL Championship Champions for the 2019–20 season, finishing 10 points ahead of second placed West Bromwich Albion.[133]

On 18 July, after Bielsa had delivered promotion, a street in Leeds city centre was renamed 'Marcelo Bielsa Way'.[134] After the achievement of being crowned Champions of the Championship and guiding Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, on 27 July 2020, Bielsa was named the LMA Championship Manager of the Year 2020.[135] On 31 July, Bielsa won the Championship Manager of the Month award for July.[136] On 11 September 2020, Bielsa signed a new contract to stay at Leeds for the 2020–21 Premier League season.[137]

2020–21

[edit]

On 12 September 2020 Bielsa's first game as head coach in the Premier League ended in a 4–3 defeat at Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool.[138][139] Conversely the first Premier League game at Elland Road for 16 years saw Leeds come out 4–3 victors against fellow promoted club Fulham.

These two games set the tone for a free scoring, free conceding first half to the season, earning Bielsa and his team many plaudits for their style of play and culminating in Bielsa placing 3rd in The Best FIFA Football Coach award on 17 December.[140] As if for emphasis, the two week period following the awards witnessed a 5–2 home win against Newcastle United on 16 December,[141] followed by a 6–2 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford;[142] only for the year to end in a 5–0 away victory at West Brom nine days later.[143]

Despite the New Year starting poorly with a 3–0 away loss to Tottenham,[144] and an ignominious 3–0 FA Cup defeat to Crawley Town,[145] Bielsa's Leeds ended the campaign strongly. They lost just one of their last 11 games while securing impressive results against the league's top sides. This included draws at home against Manchester United, Chelsea and defending champions Liverpool, as well as victories against Tottenham at home and champions-elect Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (despite playing most of the match with just ten men). Leeds United eventually finished ninth; securing more points and scoring more goals than any other promoted side for 20 years.[146]

2021–22

[edit]

On 27 February 2022, Leeds and Bielsa parted ways after a streak of four consecutive losses across which Leeds conceded 17 goals, leaving them 16th in the table, two points above Burnley and one above Everton with these teams, however, both with two games fewer than Leeds.[147][148][149]

Uruguay national team

[edit]

On 15 May 2023, the Uruguay national team announced Bielsa as their new manager,[150] becoming the second foreign trainer after another Argentinian coach, Daniel Passarella, was appointed in the year 2000.[b][151] After the poor performance of Uruguay in 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bielsa decided to rejuvenate the team by calling 14 uncapped new players against the friendly matches of Nicaragua and Cuba, leaving the veteran players who participated in the World Cup four times (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) Edinson Cavani, Fernando Muslera, and Luis Suárez out of the squad.[152] On 14 June, Bielsa started his cycle as Uruguay's coach with a victory over Nicaragua by 4–1 in the Estadio Centenario,[153] six days later in the same venue, another victory arose against Cuba by 2–0.[154] Controversially, Bielsa decided to once again not to call the veterans in his next set of matches, the press was specially concerned by the absence of Cavani and Suárez, and also by his team conformation, with Sergio Rochet being the oldest one in the squad.[155][156][157] On 8 September, Bielsa managed to get a home victory over Chile in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers debut by 3–1.[158] Four days later in Quito, Uruguay lost against Ecuador 2–1 despite leading the score at the end of the first half.[159] Darwin Núñez was substituted at halftime, and Bielsa declared to the press that the reason behind was preventive since the player arrived to the squad with "muscular difficulties".[160][161]

After drawing against Colombia 2–2 in Barranquilla with a late penalty equalizer by Núñez,[162] Uruguay obtained a historic victory on 17 October against Brazil by 2–0, with Núñez scoring with a header and Nicolás de la Cruz securing the triumph in the second half. The victory was important since it ended a 22-year streak of Brazilian dominance over Uruguay in all official competitions and friendly matches, accumulating a total of 12 bouts without wins after the match of 1 July 2001 for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. It was also Brazil's first loss in qualifiers since 2015 after being defeated by Chile, ending a 37-match streak unbeaten.[163][164][165][166] On 16 November and with a returning Suárez on the squad after an excellent season with Grêmio,[167][168] Bielsa's team got another historic triumph over world champion holders Argentina in La Bombonera. Ronald Araújo scored the first goal in the minute 41, after a crossing ball with the possession being stolen by Matías Viña against defender Nahuel Molina on the side of the home field, and the second goal was done by Núñez after a fast-paced counterattack that started when Rodrigo Bentancur managed to steal a ball from Lionel Messi close to Uruguay's goal area near the end of the match. The victory was lauded by the press and fans, just like the one against Brazil it ended a 10-year streak of Argentina supremacy, with the last defeat coming from the 2014 qualifiers on 15 October 2013. It also ended the 25-match streak without defeats in qualifiers, the last one coming from Bolivia in 2017, and it was the first defeat of Argentina as world champions, with the last match loss against Saudi Arabia at the group stage. The icing on the cake was the fact that this was the first-ever Uruguay victory over Argentina as home-away for qualifiers.[169][170][171][172] Days later they secured another home victory of 3–0 against Bolivia, with Núñez scoring a brace to end 2023.[173]

Coaching style

[edit]

Hailed as one of the most influential coaches of all time, introducing a third wave ideology in Argentine coaching, previously influenced by César Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo.[citation needed] Pep Guardiola has described Bielsa as the best in the world.[174] He has been a strong influence on his former players, many of whom later became coaches, including Mauricio Pochettino, Diego Simeone and Marcelo Gallardo.[175]

Bielsa's signature formation in his squads is the 3–3–3–1 formation, which he became known for during his coaching tenures with the Argentina and Chile national teams and with Marseille.[citation needed]

Although the 3–3–3–1 and its variations the 3–3–1–3 and the 3–4–3 "diamond" were occasionally used by other managers at UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup level before Bielsa – including by Johan Cruyff at Barcelona,[176] by Louis van Gaal at Ajax,[177] by Guus Hiddink at PSV Eindhoven[178] and Australia,[179] by Vicente del Bosque at Real Madrid,[180] by Ottmar Hitzfeld at Bayern Munich,[180] by Frank Pagelsdorf at Hamburger SV,[181] by Ivica Osim at Sturm Graz,[182][183][184] and by Russia[185][186] – it was Bielsa who first made it his standard formation and popularized it worldwide during his tenures with Argentina,[187] Chile,[188] at Olympique de Marseille,[189] and occasionally at Athletic de Bilbao.[190][191]

For this formation, the players are: three defenders, three midfielders (one central midfielder with two wide players / wing backs), three attacking midfielders (one No.10 and two wingers) and one centre-forward. The 3–3–3–1 allows quick transitions from defending to attacking, as many of the players used in the formation can perform both defensive and attacking tasks. Moreover, it establishes superiority in numbers in every part of the field, since with this formation his teams could defend with seven players, attack with six or seven players, or protect a scoreline by overwhelming the midfield with six players. To use 3–3–3–1, all players have to quickly set to attacking positions when the ball is in the team's possession, and all players have to aggressively press and recover the ball when it is not in possession, so it requires great teamwork and understanding between teammates.[192]

When he took the Argentina job, at the end of his first training session Bielsa handed the players a pencil and a little slip of paper. He wanted them to write down whether they wanted to line up with a back three or a four. He went through all the replies. "Back four, back four, back four... This clearly shows your preference for a line of four. But I'm telling you that from now on we're going to be playing with a back three. See you tomorrow." And he won them over, bringing them round to his way of thinking.

— BBC South American football correspondent Tim Vickery.[23]

He adapted to an attacking 4–3–3 at Athletic Bilbao (as seen in the 2012 UEFA Europa League Final), with full-backs pushing forward and a converted midfielder in the back line also involved in build-up play, with the pressing and coordination elements still in evidence.

In the 2018–19 season at Leeds United, Bielsa introduced a 4–1–4–1 formation,[193] with Kalvin Phillips converted from a box-to-box or attacking midfielder into the deep-lying midfielder.[194] When facing a team who played with two central strikers, Bielsa would switch to the 3–3–3–1,[195] with Phillips dropping further back into the defensive line as a centre-back or "sweeper",[196] or Luke Ayling shifting from right back.

This signature style of Bielsa's has had so much influence in the football scene that many present coaches – former players under Bielsa's command – are heavily influenced by the style, such as Gerardo Martino, Mauricio Pochettino, Diego Simeone, Matías Almeyda, Eduardo Berizzo, Mauricio Pellegrino, Santiago Solari, Andrea Pisanu[197] and Marcelo Gallardo. Current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola credited Bielsa as his tactical inspiration and called him the "best manager in the world" in 2012.[198] Jorge Sampaoli, former manager of Argentina, Sevilla FC and Chile, has been described as a "disciple" of Bielsa.

Former Argentina national team captain Roberto Ayala, a defender under Bielsa, stated: "Sometimes we wouldn't see any of the strikers, because he'd have them training at a different time, and it was the same with the midfielders".[199]

Bielsa is known for watching and collecting numerous football videos to the point of obsession. He edits and analyses each video for each individual player. He also uses statistical software and other technological tools to prepare for games. John Carlin, an English journalist, has stated that Bielsa has "the most learned football library on the planet".[200]

Bielsa likes to systematise the game. He says that there are 29 distinct formations in football and believes that every young player should be given the opportunity to experience each of them.[201][better source needed]

Discovered by Bielsa, prolific former Argentina national team striker Gabriel Batistuta proclaimed Bielsa to be "the one who taught me how to train on rainy days, he taught me everything".[202][203] Fernando Llorente, who played under Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, said of his former coach, "At first he seems tough and he may even annoy you with his persistence and don't-take-no-for-an-answer resilience, but in the end he is a genius."[204] Chile international Alexis Sánchez said of Bielsa: "I learned a lot from him and it is because of him that I am who I am."[205] Bayern Munich player Javi Martínez who worked with Bielsa at Bilbao, said that 'Bielsa taught me a lot, how to play as a centre-back and to learn a different style of football, everyone should work with him at least once in their life.'[206]

Bielsa is credited with the rise of the Leeds United and England international player Kalvin Phillips, with former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson stating: "Bielsa can take huge credit for the player that Phillips has developed into".[207]

Manchester City and France player Benjamin Mendy noted for his improvement under Bielsa at Marseille, said Bielsa had "given back to him the strength and aggressiveness lost last year."[208][209] His club and international teammate Aymeric Laporte who was given his debut by Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, described him as a 'mentor' figure,[209] while fellow France international Dimitri Payet who worked with Bielsa at Marseille said: "The season with Marcelo Bielsa made me grow, as a man and especially on the field, in the game, he gave me important bases that I still use today." Former Lille player Nicolas Pépé (now at Arsenal) who was signed by Bielsa for Lille described Bielsa as 'special' and a 'great coach'.[210]

Bielsa's unique style continued at Leeds, where to receive a work permit from the UK government, he had to prove "exceptional talent": he did so by compiling a dossier of every formation used in every Championship match during the 2017–18 season, with notes on frequency and variations. Once at the Yorkshire club, he instituted all-day training sessions, gave the first team their own private space at Thorp Arch, and had sleeping quarters installed in his office so he could devote more time to match analysis. As a motivational tactic, Bielsa once made players pick up litter around the training ground for three hours, as he had been told that was how long an average Leeds fan worked to afford a ticket.[211]

Some critics have argued that the taxing demands of Bielsa's management style have led to his teams starting a season brightly before a dip in performances as players begin to tire.[212]

In August 2019, Bielsa was one of the main stars of Leeds United documentary Take Us Home documenting the 2018–19 season on Amazon Prime, featuring in several episodes in voiceover, before doing an interview for the final episode "The End". The documentary was narrated by actor and Leeds United fan Russell Crowe.[213][214][215] After Leeds' 4–0 defeat of then-chasing rivals West Bromwich Albion at home on 1 March 2019 in Take Us Home, Bielsa (through a translator) mused on the nature of victory:

I came to be part of a programme that has goals, and of course we are aware of the goals wanted by the city and the club, the players, the fans, everybody. But I also can't say that my only interest is winning. What also interests me is the way we build to the victory.[216]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 15 October 2024[217]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Newell's Old Boys 1 July 1990 30 June 1992 97 39 38 20 040.21
Atlas 1 July 1993 31 January 1995 77 29 20 28 037.66
América 1 July 1995 25 March 1996 33 10 14 9 030.30
Vélez Sársfield 1 July 1997 30 June 1998 44 23 14 7 052.27
Espanyol 10 July 1998 19 October 1998 12 3 3 6 025.00
Argentina 20 October 1998 15 September 2004 85 56 18 11 065.88
Chile 11 July 2007 4 February 2011 51 28 8 15 054.90
Athletic Bilbao 7 July 2011 30 June 2013 113 43 31 39 038.05
Marseille 17 May 2014 8 August 2015 41 21 7 13 051.22
Lille 24 May 2017 15 December 2017 14 3 4 7 021.43
Leeds United 1 June 2018 27 February 2022 170 81 30 59 047.65
Uruguay 15 May 2023 Present 22 10 8 4 045.45
Total 759 345 198 216 045.45

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Individual

Manager

[edit]

Newell's Old Boys

Vélez Sarsfield

Argentina

Athletic Bilbao

Leeds United

Uruguay

Individual

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b In isolation, Bielsa is pronounced [ˈbjelsa].
  2. ^ Even though Juan Hohberg was also Argentinian, he became a nationalized Uruguayan before becoming the national team coach.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 01 de junio de 2013, en Madrid" [Minutes of the Match held on 1 June 2013, in Madrid] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "MARCELO BIELSA: THE FACTS BEHIND THE MAN". Leeds United. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa Profile". PlanetSport. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: The Most Influential Coach of the 21st Century". 7 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: In Others' Words".
  6. ^ Anyanwu, John (13 February 2021). "Marcelo Bielsa's Influence On Guardiola, Zidane & Pochettino". Soofootball.
  7. ^ "Bielsa and Guardiola: How 'incredible' Leeds boss influenced the greatest coach of the modern era". Goal.com.
  8. ^ a b "Preolímpico 1976: Cuando las "reglas" y los "criterios" nos dejaron afuera de Montreal". Asociación de Historiadores e Investigadores del Fútbol Uruguayo (in Spanish). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024. Ese equipo, además, lo integraba un tal Marcelo Bielsa, back derecho. Fue titular en todos los duelos, menos ante los orientales. Tan bueno fue lo del valor de Newell´s Old Boys que hasta fue incluido en el Equipo Ideal.
  9. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: El Loco's Journey From Argentina to Footballing Immortality in Europe". 90min. 10 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  10. ^ "What Leeds fans can expect from Pep Guardiola's idol, Marcelo Bielsa: the crazy one". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  11. ^ de 2013, 30 de Mayo (18 November 2017). "Vélez le ganaba a Huracán y con el 'Loco' Bielsa lograba un nuevo campeonato". infobae. Retrieved 14 February 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa, el mejor DT de la Roja según los hinchas". Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  13. ^ Vergara, Carlos (18 August 2012). "Chile. Furor por una película que parodia a Piñera". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Bielsa: "Disculpas a los chilenos que pude incomodar"". Diario y Radio U Chile (in Spanish). 2 July 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2020. En una breve carta dirigida la país, el Director Técnico de la Selección chilena, Marcelo Bielsa, buscó terminar con la polémica suscita por su frío saludo al Presidente Sebastián Piñera, durante la visita oficial del plantel a La Moneda.
  15. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa Resigns as Olympique Marseille Manager: Latest Details, Reaction". Bleacher Report. 8 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Ligue 1 : Pourquoi l'OM reste nostalgique de Bielsa". Eurosport (in French). 10 January 2016.
  17. ^ Heppenstall, Ross. "Marcelo Bielsa has Leeds United fans dreaming of a return to Europe". The Times. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  18. ^ Liew, Jonathan. "Marcelo Bielsa wasn't expected to last at Leeds United – but he's leading the club back to glory". New Statesman. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  19. ^ Bennett, Tom. "Burnout? What burnout? Leeds United's strong end to the season could redefine Marcelo Bielsa's reputation". Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "Newell's Old Boys". FIFA. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  21. ^ "Esquadrão Imortal – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992" [Immortal Squad – Newell's Old Boys 1987–1992] (in Portuguese). Imortais do Futebol. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Vélez le ganaba a Huracán y con el 'Loco' Bielsa lograba un nuevo campeonato" [Vélez beat Huracán and with 'Loco' Bielsa achieved a new championship] (in Latin American Spanish). Infobae. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ^ a b Vickery, Tim (15 June 2018). "Marcelo Bielsa: Leeds United's new boss a complete 'one off'". BBC. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Bielsa tactics to blame for our early exit". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 June 2002.[dead link]
  25. ^ a b "Brasil vence nos pênaltis e ganha a Copa America" [Brazil win on penalties and claim the Copa América] (in Portuguese). Terra. 25 July 2004. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  26. ^ "ESPN – Argentina captures first Olympic gold – Olympics". ESPN. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  27. ^ a b "Argentina win first gold in 52 years". Rediff.com. 28 August 2004. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  28. ^ "'Tired' Bielsa quits Argentina job". CNN. 15 September 2004.
  29. ^ "BBC Football". BBC News. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  30. ^ "Chile still waiting for a revolution". FIFA.com. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008.
  31. ^ ¡Bielsa NO se va! Archived 20 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ "World Cup 2010: Kaká lifts Brazil out of the ordinary and past Chile". The Guardian. 29 June 2010.
  33. ^ "Bielsa ratificado: "Su objetivo es preparar la próxima generación"". Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  34. ^ Slater, Russ (30 November 2010). "Chilean Football Loses Their Star Man as Argentine Coach Marcelo Bielso Steps Down as National Coach". Sounds and Colours. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  35. ^ "Bielsa resigns as Chile coach". Associated Press. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  36. ^ "Hermógenes Pérez de Arce: Piñera interfirió en levantar oposición a Mayne-Nicholls". Emol. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  37. ^ Viñas, Silvia (2 July 2010). "Chile: Bielsa and Piñera, When Football Meets Politics". Global Voices. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  38. ^ "Chileans Worry for Future After Marcelo Bielsa Exit". Inside Futbol. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa dirigirá el Athletic de Bilbao" (in Spanish). El Universo. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Athletic Bilbao v Trabzonspor, 18 August 2011". 11V11.Com. 11v11. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  41. ^ "Athletic de Bilbao embelesa con Bielsa y la oración de 15 religiosas de clausura". Aciprensa.com. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  42. ^ thesubstitution (29 March 2012). "Challenging Barcelona: the matches that exposed Guardiola & Co". Thesubstitution.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  43. ^ "Athletic Bilbao set up Sporting showdown". Adifferentleague.co.uk. 6 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Spanish teams dominate Europa League semi-finals spots". BBC Sport. Press Association. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  45. ^ "Athletic Bilbao 2 – 2 Schalke 04". ESPN. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  46. ^ "Athletic Bilbao qualify for Europa League final". DNA India. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid set up Europa League final". 27 April 2012.
  48. ^ "Bilbao and Atletico to meet in the final". ESPN.
  49. ^ "A brilliant double from Radamel Falcao and a bustling performance from the rest of Atletico Madrid undid Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League final". BBC Sport. Press Association. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  50. ^ a b "Atletico Madrid 3–0 Athletic Bilbao: Falcao strikes twice and Diego adds clincher as Simeone's men are crowned Europa League champions". Goal.com. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  51. ^ "Atlético Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – as it happened". The Guardian. Press Association. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  52. ^ a b "Athletic Bilbao 0–3 Barcelona: Pedro double and Messi clinch Copa del Rey and offer Guardiola fitting finale". Goal.com. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  53. ^ "EXCLU : Labrune officialise l'arrivée de Bielsa à l'OM sur RMC". RMC Sport (in French). 2 May 2014.
  54. ^ "Ligue 1: Marcelo Bielsa appointed as new Marseille head coach". Sky Sports.
  55. ^ "Bielsa V Ranieri: A battle for tactical mastery". www.ligue1.com. 6 August 2017.
  56. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa démissionne de l'OM" (in French). L'equipe. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  57. ^ "OFFICIAL: Lazio appoint Bielsa". Football Italia. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  58. ^ "Lazio: Marcelo Bielsa quits as coach of Serie A side after two days". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  59. ^ "Lazio: Inzaghi in, Bielsa sued!". Football Italia. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  60. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa explains why he quit Lazio after just TWO days in charge". The Mirror. 9 July 2016.
  61. ^ "Bielsa reveals why he quit Lazio job after two days". goal.com. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  62. ^ "Ligue 1: Bielsa promises attacking football at Lille – Goal.com". Goal.com. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  63. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa's short-lived catastrophe at Lille is coming to an end". The Guardian. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  64. ^ "Lille hiring Marcelo Bielsa as coach was a mistake – sporting advisor". ESPN. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  65. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa decided Lille players' future in 45 seconds – Eric Bautheac". ESPN. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  66. ^ "Lille complete double signing of Mendes and Man Utd target Malcuit". Goal. 8 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  67. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: Lille suspend coach after latest defeat". BBC Sport. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  68. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa sacked as Lille manager after suspension". ESPN. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  69. ^ "LOSC: Christophe Galtier does statistically worse than Marcelo Bielsa". RMC Sport. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  70. ^ "Lille hiring Marcelo Bielsa as coach was a mistake – sporting advisor". ESPN. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  71. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa named head coach". Leeds United F.C. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  72. ^ "Leeds United confirm Marcelo Bielsa appointment". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  73. ^ Road, Nick Townsend (19 August 2018). "No stopping Leeds as Bielsa revolution rolls on". The Times.
  74. ^ "Phil Hay's verdict: Leeds United 2 Rotherham United 0 – History made as Bielsa sees first 'real' Championship action". Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  75. ^ Cross, Beren (7 September 2018). "Marcelo Bielsa is named Championship Manager of the Month". Leeds Live. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  76. ^ a b "Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa wins Championship Manager of the Month award". Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  77. ^ Hay, Phil (7 December 2018). "Leeds United's injury list in full – and how many games they've missed this season". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  78. ^ Hay, Phil (6 December 2018). "Marcelo Bielsa insists there is 'no need' for January signings despite growing injury list at Leeds United". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  79. ^ Hay, Phil (6 December 2018). "Phil Hay – Inside Elland Road column: Marcelo Bielsa's injury-crisis hands Leeds United's youngsters chance to shine". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  80. ^ Barney Ronay (18 May 2019). "Marcelo Bielsa's play-off agony with Leeds was a lesson in beautiful failure". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  81. ^ "Aston Villa 2 Leeds United 3". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  82. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United marching on in the Championship". Sky Sports. 23 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  83. ^ "Championship Player of the Month: December nominations". EFL. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  84. ^ "Hull City pair Jarrod Bowen and Nigel Adkins win Sky Bet Championship December awards". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  85. ^ "Leeds United 2 Derby County 0". Leeds United. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  86. ^ "Leeds United shake off spying row to beat Derby County and pull away at top". The Guardian. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  87. ^ "Derby training ground 'spy': Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa takes responsibility". BBC Sport. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  88. ^ "Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admits sending spy to Derby training". Sky Sports. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  89. ^ "Derby boss Frank Lampard insists he would 'rather quit' than use Marco Bielsa's 'spying' tactics". ITV Sport. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  90. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT". Leeds United. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  91. ^ "Spurs Boss Believes 'Spygate' is 'not a big deal'". The Independent. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  92. ^ "Spurs Boss Believes 'Spygate' is 'not a big deal'". Yorkshire Evening Post. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  93. ^ "Spurs Boss Believes 'Spygate' is 'not a big deal'". BBC Sport. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  94. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa's Spygate: Other cases of sporting espionage". BBC Sport. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  95. ^ "With his 'spygate' PowerPoint, Marcelo Bielsa has enhanced his legend". The Independent. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  96. ^ "Leeds United Spygate scandal: How the drama has unfolded for Marcelo Bielsa". Yorkshire Evening Post. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  97. ^ "Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa admits spying on every Championship club during unprecedented rebuttal". Yorkshire Evening Post. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  98. ^ "The Marcelo Bielsa 'spygate' row is another tiresome chapter in football's culture war – and there was no winner". The Independent. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  99. ^ "Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa says he watches all opponents train". BBC Sport. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  100. ^ "Leeds United are watching you – Phil Hay's take on astonishing insight into the world of Marcelo Bielsa". Yorkshire Evening Post. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  101. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa press conference: 'Absolutely incredible...a tactical masterclass '". Sky Sports. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  102. ^ a b "Leeds fined £200,000 for 'spygate' affair as EFL make new law to prevent further incidents". The Independent. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  103. ^ "EFL Regulations, Section 2 – Membership". EFL. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  104. ^ Phil Hay (3 May 2019). "Marcelo Bielsa reveals he personally paid Leeds United's hefty fine following Spygate". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  105. ^ "Leeds 1 Wigan 2". BBC Sport. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  106. ^ Lee Sobot (28 April 2019). "Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 1: Whites allow walked-in equaliser in dramatic home finale draw". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  107. ^ Louise Taylor (28 April 2019). "Leeds let Aston Villa equalise and hand title to Sheffield United". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  108. ^ "Leeds United 1–1 Aston Villa". BBC. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  109. ^ "Patrick Bamford: Leeds striker banned for two games for deceiving referee". BBC Sport. 2 May 2019.
  110. ^ "Dean Smith: Aston Villa boss praises Marcelo Bielsa 'sportsmanship'". BBC. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  111. ^ Niall McVeigh (23 September 2019). "Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa win Fifa fair play award for Aston Villa game". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  112. ^ "Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa's candid admission over botched move for Swansea City's Daniel James". Wales Online. 28 April 2019.
  113. ^ "Leeds United handed double injury blow ahead of play-off clash with Derby County". Derbyshire Live. 9 May 2019.
  114. ^ "Leeds United 2–4 Derby County (Derby win 4–3 on agg)". BBC Sport. 15 May 2019.
  115. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa's history of burnout: Is it a myth about the Leeds boss?". Sky Sports. 2 March 2019.
  116. ^ "Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa hasn't changed but something has as promotion chase continues to splutter". The Independent. 27 February 2019.
  117. ^ "Can Leeds avoid burning out under the brilliant intensity of Marcelo Bielsa?". The Independent. 2 March 2019.
  118. ^ "Leeds United should be 10 points better off in the Championship, reveals Marcelo Bielsa". Yorkshire Evening Post. 29 March 2019.
  119. ^ "Bielsa: We missed our chances". Sky Sports. 15 May 2019.
  120. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa to remain Leeds United boss for 2019–20 season". BBC Sport. 28 May 2019.
  121. ^ Lee Sobot (8 July 2019). "Pontus Jansson picture puts Leeds United centre-back situation back under microscope". YEP. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  122. ^ "No chance of reprieve as more details emerge of Pontus Jansson fall-out". TalkSport. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  123. ^ Sport, Telegraph (15 September 2019). "Marcelo Bielsa hails 'complete player' Eddie Nketiah as Leeds beat Barnsley to top Championship table". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  124. ^ "MARCELO BIELSA & JACK HARRISON NOMINATED FOR AWARDS". Leeds United. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  125. ^ "MARCELO BIELSA NAMED MANAGER OF THE MONTH". Leeds United. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  126. ^ "Birmingham City 4–5 Leeds United: Bielsa's men beat Blues". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  127. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 1–1 Leeds". BBC. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  128. ^ "Eddie Nketiah recalled by Arsenal from Leeds loan spell". Sky Sports. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  129. ^ "Jack Clarke: Tottenham recall winger from Leeds loan spell". Sky Sports. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  130. ^ "Arsenal v Leeds United - press conference recap: What Marcelo Bielsa and Gjanni Alioski had to say ahead of Gunners FA Cup trip". Yorkshire Evening Post. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  131. ^ "Jean-Kevin Augustin: Leeds sign RB Leipzig striker on loan". BBC Sport. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  132. ^ "Ian Poveda: Leeds United sign Manchester City winger on four-and-a-half-year deal". BBC Sport. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  133. ^ "Championship: Leeds United promoted to Premier League after 16-year absence". BBC Sport. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  134. ^ "Street renamed Marcelo Bielsa Way after Leeds United's historic promotion". Yorkshire Evening Post. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  135. ^ a b "Jürgen Klopp wins the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year". 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  136. ^ a b "Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month: July winner". EFL.com. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  137. ^ "MARCELO BIELSA SIGNS NEW CONTRACT". Leeds United. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  138. ^ "Leeds United made a dramatic return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence as they produced a magnificent display only to lose to a late penalty in a thriller against champions Liverpool at Anfield". BBC. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  139. ^ "Liverpool 4 Leeds 3". BBC Sport. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  140. ^ "THE BEST FIFA MEN'S COACH". FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  141. ^ "Leeds 5-2 Newcastle: 'It was Sunday park football defending'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  142. ^ "Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United: Hosts up to third..." BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  143. ^ "West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Leeds United: Sam Allardyce rues..." BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  144. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Leeds United: Harry Kane & Son Heung-min help Spurs return to winning ways". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  145. ^ "Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa's side suffer huge FA Cup upset". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  146. ^ "Premier League 2020-21: Who impressed and who fell short?". BBC Sport. 24 May 2021.
  147. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: Argentine leaves Leeds United after Tottenham loss". BBC Sport. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  148. ^ Marcelo Bielsa's Final Interview as Leeds manager, BT Sport, 2022-02-27.
  149. ^ Marcelo Bielsa transformed Leeds with decency, humility and hard work, The Guaridan, 2022-02-27.
  150. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa: Ex-Leeds manager named Uruguay head coach". BBC. 15 May 2023.
  151. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa becomes the next Argentine to coach Uruguay". Extra time talk. 19 April 2023.
  152. ^ "Uruguay boss Bielsa names 14 newcomers for friendlies". Xinhua. 3 June 2023.
  153. ^ "Facundo Pellistri shines for Uruguay in convincing 4-1 win over Nicaragua". ManUtdNews. 15 June 2023.
  154. ^ "Ex-Leeds United boss makes it two wins from two as new challenge off to perfect start". Yorkshire Evening Post. 21 June 2023.
  155. ^ "Bielsa leaves Cavani and Suarez out of Uruguay squad for World Cup qualifying matches". Arab News. 5 September 2023.
  156. ^ "Icons out as Bielsa makes his mark with Uruguay". FIFA. 5 September 2023.
  157. ^ "Why was Luis Suarez not called up by Uruguay for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers?". Bolavip. 5 September 2023.
  158. ^ "Two-goal Neymar breaks Pele's record as Brazil crush Bolivia 5–1". France24. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  159. ^ "Argentina win without Messi, Bielsa's Uruguay fall in Ecuador". France24. 13 September 2023.
  160. ^ "Darwin Nunez subbed off with "muscular difficulties" – but no injury confirmed". This Is Anfield. 13 September 2023.
  161. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa replaced Liverpool star Darwin Nunez to prevent an injury". SABC Sport. 13 September 2023.
  162. ^ "Late Nunez penalty rescues draw for Uruguay against Colombia". The Straits Times. 13 October 2023.
  163. ^ "Núñez on target as Uruguay beat Brazil before Messi leads Argentina to win". The Guardian. 18 October 2023.
  164. ^ "Uruguay End 22-Year Winless Streak Against Brazil with 2-0 Victory". beIN Sports. 18 October 2023.
  165. ^ "Nunez strikes as Uruguay upset Brazil in 2026 qualifiers". The Straits Times. 18 October 2023.
  166. ^ "Brazil hope 'nothing serious' after Neymar injures knee in defeat by Uruguay in World Cup qualifier". The Straits Times. 18 October 2023.
  167. ^ "Suarez returns to Uruguay squad for Argentina clash". beIN Sports. 14 November 2023.
  168. ^ "Uruguay, with Luiz Suárez back in the ranks, pose touch challenge for unbeaten Argentina". Buenos Aires Times. 15 November 2023.
  169. ^ "Diaz and Nunez sparkle as Colombia and Uruguay slay giants". FIFA. 16 November 2023.
  170. ^ "Argentina 0-2 Uruguay: Darwin Nunez scores as world champions' winning run ends". BBC. 17 November 2023.
  171. ^ "Uruguay stun Argentina; emotional Luis Diaz double as Colombia sink Brazil in World Cup qualifiers". The Straits Times. 17 November 2023.
  172. ^ "How Bielsa's Uruguay pushed Argentina out of their comfort zone to secure a historic win". The Economic Times. 17 November 2023.
  173. ^ "Darwin Núñez's Brace Secures Another Victory for Uruguay". beIN Sports. 22 November 2023.
  174. ^ Farrell, Dom. "Bielsa Guardiola". Goal. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  175. ^ Bennett, John. "Bielsa Influence". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  176. ^ "Johan Cruyff's 3-4-3 Diamond". 24 March 2020.
  177. ^ "AFC Ajax-AC Milan 1995 Champions League final formations and tactical movements". May 2022.
  178. ^ "PSV Eindhoven vs AC Milan Champions League 2005/2006".
  179. ^ Imagei0.wp.com Archived 18 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  180. ^ a b "Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Champions League 2000/2001".
  181. ^ "Hamburger SV in Champions League 2000/2001 campaign".
  182. ^ "Sturm Graz-Monaco 2-0 Champions League 2000-01 lineups".
  183. ^ "Sturm Graz-Rangers 2-0 Champions League 2000-01 lineups".
  184. ^ "Galatasaray-Sturm Graz 2-2 Champions League 2000-01 lineups".
  185. ^ "Aufstellung | Deutschland - Russland 2:2 | 4. Spieltag | Nationalteams Freundschaftsspiele 2005".
  186. ^ "2005".
  187. ^ "Argentina formation vs England in 2002 World Cup". May 2022.
  188. ^ "Chile formation and tactical movements in 2010 World Cup". May 2022.
  189. ^ "Olympique Marseille 2014-15 formation and tactical movements". May 2022.
  190. ^ "Athletic Bilbao 2011-12 formation and tactical movements". May 2022.
  191. ^ "The Bielsa Way". 27 December 2016.
  192. ^ Cox, Michael (9 October 2015). "Why Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp can be a surprisingly exciting combination". The Guardian.
  193. ^ Hay, Phil (18 July 2018). "Phil Hay's verdict - Forest Green Rovers 1 Leeds United 2: Roofe and Ayling earn Bielsa a debut win". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  194. ^ Hay, Phil (17 August 2018). "Leeds United: Midfielder Phillips is lynchpin of the Bielsa revolution". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  195. ^ Hay, Phil (6 April 2019). "Marcelo Bielsa admits Mateusz Klich mistake following Leeds United's defeat at Birmingham". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  196. ^ Mewis, Joe (6 December 2018). "The evolution of Kalvin Phillips under Marcelo Bielsa - in their own words". Leeds-Live.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  197. ^ Farinotti, Luca (4 November 2020). "La filosofia di mister Pisanu, il colto maltese". Avvenire. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  198. ^ "Guardiola: "Bielsa es el mejor entrenador del planeta"". canalathletic.com.
  199. ^ "Bielsa, still mad about the game". FIFA. 15 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  200. ^ "La Prensa – Deportes – Un loco con método". laprensa.com.ni. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014.
  201. ^ "The 29 Formations of Football according to Marcelo Bielsa". YouTube. 9 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  202. ^ "Batistuta: "Today, I met Bielsa for the first time since the 2002 World Cup"". Fox Sports.
  203. ^ "Bielsa has it taped". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  204. ^ Olé. "Guardiola tiene razón".
  205. ^ "'Bielsa is best coach in the world' – potential new Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa and those who know him best". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  206. ^ "Bielsa is best coach in the world – potential new Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa and those who know him best". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  207. ^ "Howard Wilkinson compares Kalvin Phillips to title-winning Leeds United star". Yorkshire Evening Post. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  208. ^ "Benjamin Mendy en toute insouciance". Le Parisien (in French). 20 December 2014.
  209. ^ a b "From Bielsa to Guardiola: Laporte tells his mentors". Portail SFR. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  210. ^ "LOSC: The confidences of Nicolas Pepe on Marcelo Bielsa". 10 Sport. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  211. ^ "Perfectionist Marcelo Bielsa brings radical approach to Leeds United". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 August 2018
  212. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa's history of burnout: Is it a myth about the Leeds boss?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  213. ^ "Take Us Home: What we learned from Leeds documentary". BBC Sport. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  214. ^ "Amazon documentary reveals how Manchester United player Daniel James' Leeds United transfer collapsed". Manchester Evening News. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  215. ^ "Take Us Home documentary reveals just how close Daniel James was to joining Leeds United". leedslive.co.uk. Leeds Live. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  216. ^ Hicken, Lee (director) (16 August 2019). "Pressure". Take Us Home: Leeds United. Season 1. Episode 4. 41:38 minutes in. Amazon Prime.
  217. ^ "Managerial statistics". Soccerbase.com. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  218. ^ "Leeds United are champions!". Leeds United F.C. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  219. ^ "Former Results". IFFHS. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  220. ^ Garin, Erik (2 August 2007). "IFFHS' World's Best Coaches of the Year 1996-2006: National Team Coaches". RSSF. Libero (IFFHS Magazine). Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  221. ^ "South American Coach of the Year". Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  222. ^ "Marcelo Bielsa named Manager of the Month". leedsunited.com. Leeds United. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  223. ^ "Messi, Rapinoe Crowned The Best in Milan". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  224. ^ "THE BEST FIFA MEN'S COACH". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marcelo Bielsa.