Marcelo Bielsa

[Cjay]

Its for idiots like this that make me wish i had a twitter account.

If Bielsa wanted he would have had the biggest jobs in world football.

When it became clear Pep was going to step down Bielsa was the 1st choice replacement, he was at Bilbao then and had the support of Guardiola himself, Johan Cruyff and Lionel Messi.

If Bielsa had wanted the job does anyone really think he wouldnt have got it given the support he had ? Guardiola went as far as publicly backing him for the job.

There is more.

Inter Milan tried to tempt him away from Bilbao on numerous occasions (again it can be verified if people want to check).

Bielsa turned us down for personal reasons," Moratti said. "He was disappointed, but he could no longer continue the dialogue with us." (A direct quote from the Inter Milan president in 2011).

Do Barcelona and Inter Milan satisfy this idiot who clearly goes on national radio spouting crap without checking his facts?

No?

Ok how about Real Madrid.

"We had just announced our departure from Argentina and a few days later Camacho left Real Madrid," said Luis Maria Bonini. Marcelo receives a call from an important person at Real Madrid, who wanted him to take the reins of the team. He replied: "I just left Argentina, do you think I can lead Real Madrid?" It was hard to say no to Real, only Bielsa can do it. But we were in mourning. We had just managed the Argentina team, it was our dream. It was hard. Marcelo didn't want people to think he was leaving the squad to sign with Real Madrid. " Marcelo Bielsa quit coaching for three years before returning to Chile in 2007.

Ah but Luis Maria Bonini was MB's coach, so he could be making it up?

He could indeed except there is a key quote in there "Marcelo receives a call from an important person at Madrid".

Why is this relevant?

Because in 2004 Jorge Valdano was the Sporting Director at Real Madrid, he just happens to be one of Bielsa's closest friends.

I feel better now.

MB picks his jobs differently to other managers, just because he hasnt managed one of the biggest in Europe doesnt mean he couldnt.

Annnnnd breathe

[Smudge3920]

[Boo Radley]

Nice article in today’s Irish Times on the great man;

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... 1?mode=amp

[1964white]

Nice article in today’s Irish Times on the great man;

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... 1?mode=amp

Excellent Boo

[Mountain]

Nice article in today’s Irish Times on the great man;

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... 1?mode=amp

Scroll back to the 1972 FA Cup final, the Centenary final, and Leeds players kicked balls into the crowd as they emerged from the Wembley tunnel, a way to make friends and influence people. Now they do it by keeping the ball and re-cycling it relentlessly. This is Marcelo Bielsa, the global generational influence who turned up in Yorkshire...

I was just thinking, in the context of the Lorimer thread, there is one thing Bielsa has done that goes under the radar. He has reconnected players with fans. In a way that few other teams at this level do, in a way that O'Leary's CL semi finalists did not do, and possibly in a way we haven't seen since the 70s. We want Phillips, Dallas, Cooper and Bamford to win not just because they play for Leeds, but they seem so...ordinary. This is the manager who deflated any egos and reminded them of their fans on the very first day, when they collected litter. We laugh at Alioski's antics, we are saddened by the Kalvin's loss, because they are not superstars. I'd rather see this group kept together and see just how far this adventure goes and not constantly push for new signings.

[Boo Radley]

Scroll back to the 1972 FA Cup final, the Centenary final, and Leeds players kicked balls into the crowd as they emerged from the Wembley tunnel, a way to make friends and influence people. Now they do it by keeping the ball and re-cycling it relentlessly. This is Marcelo Bielsa, the global generational influence who turned up in Yorkshire...

I was just thinking, in the context of the Lorimer thread, there is one thing Bielsa has done that goes under the radar. He has reconnected players with fans. In a way that few other teams at this level do, in a way that O'Leary's CL semi finalists did not do, and possibly in a way we haven't seen since the 70s. We want Phillips, Dallas, Cooper and Bamford to win not just because they play for Leeds, but they seem so...ordinary. This is the manager who deflated any egos and reminded them of their fans on the very first day, when they collected litter. We laugh at Alioski's antics, we are saddened by the Kalvin's loss, because they are not superstars. I'd rather see this group kept together and see just how far this adventure goes and not constantly push for new signings.

Very true Mountain.

There is a humility and decency about all of our players that encourages a different level of emotional involvement with this team.

They behave themselves on and off the pitch, they are role models for our younger players and, importantly, our younger fans. My sons have become real fanatics under Bielsa’s reign and they are genuinely proud of the players, as footballers but also as good men.

That’s all down to the great man himself. His own classy character, attitude and behavior sets the standard for everyone else to follow.

[Smudge3920]

Interesting when critisisim is made of some area's (and I have said I would like to see more )...When it is broken down, it is never quite as bad as we think ...
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.

[The Subhuman]

Edit.. Forget

[HarryofOz]

Well said Mountain and Boo, Bielsa's contribution to football goes beyond what he brings to the performance on the pitch. His humanity is there for all to see.

[Cjay]

Pep Guardiola speaking.

His teams are always better than before his arrival. You see his influence. he doesn't need much time to realise his own team, it belongs absolutely to him and for world football it is a joy. A guy who respects the opponent, who plays for the fans, who just wants to play for a victory home or away and convinces the players to follow him. I recognise the best beacuse people say he doesn't win titles but give him Manchester City and he will win titles. it depends on the players you have but the players he has are always better players. That is the best proof of when a manager is good.


I would say to copy the words from Marcelo. All the managers are completely alone in their defeats, players follow you when you win and leave you alone when you lose. Winners always smell good and when you lose you smell really bad. I agree completely with that. Every decision taken after victory is good and after defeat is not good. That's why it is better to be calm and be honest with yourself about the decisions you have to take. Footbal is played with human beings and human beings are not perfect. You have to accept it.


I'm pretty sure they deserved completely what they got so far. I admire a lot of things they do, especially how they behave on the pitch - it doesn't matter the opponent or the competition, it is a compeltely different game to what we have played so far becasue they demand you to do soemthing that you are not used to. At the same time it is a challenge because we are so close - we need three wins and one draw - and when you play at home it is another opportunity. it is between important games against Dortmund but it is what we have to do.

I'm overwhelmed, I feel weird. He's a huge competitor. I'm not going to try to be weak after these words because they can do whatever they want. I'm overwhelmed. He's the most honest person. When I was able to speak with him, what he says is what he believes. He doesn't say anything or do anything for media. That's why I'm overwhelmed becasue everybody knows the admiration and respect. He will always be in my heart and I always feel I don't deserve it because of course if there is one person who can find the secret or the way we want to play it is him. His work ethic and his knowledge about the game. I know how tough it will be tomorrow but hopefully we are prepared to compete. We are three games away to be champions and tomorrow we have another opportunity to make a bigger step. The players know because we face them there in the first leg how difficult it was and tomorrow will not be an exception. The quality of the manager and the backroom staff show in the postiion of the table. Being promoted last season and already safe. They have done incredibly well all seaosn.

[1964white]

Lovely honest comments from Pep.

[Lumiukko]

Yes, very nice words from Pep. This is definitely a game to just sit back and enjoy some of the best football the planet has to offer with Pep up against Bielsa. A game for the purists.

[HarryofOz]

Perfectly put Pep.

[Mountain]

Bielsa is one of the greatest managers of all time. We are incredibly lucky that a genius has decided that Leeds United will be his masterpiece, the culmination of a decades long obsession with football perfection. Guardiola has the good grace to admit this. I don't know if Leeds will beat Man City this weekend, it's a bunch of Championship players taking on one of the most expensively assembled squads ever. But because of Bielsa, I think we might, and if we don't we will fail playing some of the finest football ever. These are truly remarkable times.

[Smudge3920]

Perfectly put Pep.

Concur H...

Bielsa is one of the greatest managers of all time. We are incredibly lucky that a genius has decided that Leeds United will be his masterpiece, the culmination of a decades long obsession with football perfection. Guardiola has the good grace to admit this. I don't know if Leeds will beat Man City this weekend, it's a bunch of Championship players taking on one of the most expensively assembled squads ever. But because of Bielsa, I think we might, and if we don't we will fail playing some of the finest football ever. These are truly remarkable times.

Very well said Mountain...was the reason why I was saying earlier this week...I would love Citeh to put out the full 1st team squad against our best team...a Bielsa/Pep showcase...a real purist's game...TBH I am not really bothered about the score I just want a classic game that all will be talking about Saturday night and many years to come.

[Irish Ian]

When they have nothing else to say they just end up trotting out the same uninformed tripe.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56705551

[Mountain]

And we thought beating City away would be the best news today.

It's just been overtaken...please let this be true...

[Cjay]

https://www.premierleague.com/news/2129196

Vote for MB.

[1964white]

https://www.premierleague.com/news/2129196

Vote for MB.

Done

[Smudge3920]

Done ...should be no contest MB all the way