'He's a myth' - Leeds United hero Marcelo Bielsa slammed by ex-England midfielder in bizarre rant
The former Leeds United manager's Uruguay side drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia at the World Cup overnight.
Legendary former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been labelled a ‘myth’ by Joe Cole following Uruguay’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Saudi Arabia.
Bielsa took charge of his first game at the major tournament overnight, with Uruguay forced to come from behind and earn a point. The South American nation started slowly and went behind before half-time, but rallied after the break and could easily have won it after Maximiliano Araujo’s 80th-minute leveller.
Argentinian Bielsa has now been involved in three World Cups and remains a much-loved figure in West Yorkshire, having ended Leeds’ 16-year Premier League exile in 2019/20 before guiding them to a ninth-placed top-flight finish. Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Cole had a different view, however.
“I think he’s a myth,” Cole told The Rest Is Football. “I’ve done my homework; he’s been managing for over 30 years. He’s won three Argentinian titles.
“He won the Olympics but that’s a youth tournament, and won the Championship with Leeds. Leeds fans won’t be happy but I have no plans on going there any time soon.”
While Bielsa’s trophy cabinet isn’t exactly overflowing with major honours, his influence spans far and wide. The former Leeds boss has been labelled one of the world’s best managers by Pep Guardiola and can count the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone as acolytes.
“Guardiola has given him the big write up,” former England midfielder Cole added. “Pep says ‘oh he’s the God’. For me, he sits on a bucket and doesn’t do much else.
“Three titles in 30 years, not for me. A massive reputation, he keeps getting jobs, but he’s never done a sustained period where you’ve thought ‘that’s a proper manager.’”
Leeds fans will certainly disagree, pointing to their rise from mid-table Championship to ninth in the Premier League under Bielsa within three years. Athletic Club de Bilbao supporters would also evidence their rise to Europe and blowing away of Manchester United during the Argentinian’s tenure.