Marcelo Bielsa set for Leeds United repeat as shock press conference called amid Uruguay resign rumours
The former Leeds United boss has come under recent pressure at Uruguay despite qualifying for the World Cup.
Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has called an impromptu press conference in Uruguay amid speculation over his future - although national reports suggest he is unlikely to resign.
Bielsa’s Uruguay fell to a 5-1 thumping at the hands of the USA earlier this week, just a few days after drawing 0-0 against Mexico. The South American side have already qualified for next year’s World Cup but there have been regular reports suggesting a breakdown in relationship with the playing squad.
On Wednesday evening UK time, the Uruguay FA confirmed via a post on X that Bielsa would hold a press conference at the Centenario Stadium on Thursday. They provided no further information which naturally led to speculation the former Leeds boss might resign.
That is not expected to be the case, however, with journalist Federico Buysan of El Espectador attempting to put an end to rumours of a resignation. In a post on X, Buysan explains the press conference was called by Bielsa himself to ‘accept all questions and explain the current performance.’
Buysan then categorically says Bielsa ‘is not going to resign’, adding that Uruguayan FA chief Jorge Giordano fully backs the Argentinian. Other key decision-makers are said to be preparing their decision on Friday but Thursday’s press conference is not expected to end with Bielsa leaving.
Of course, Bielsa has a history of making shock decisions, having resigned as Marseille manager after just one game of the new season back in 2015. A year later, he walked away from the Lazio job just two days after taking charge amid alleged broken promises from key decision-makers at the Italian club.
Marcelo Bielsa’s explosive Spygate press conference
Leeds fans were worried they were going to fall victim to a shock resignation back in January 2019, after the ‘Spygate’ saga in which it emerged Bielsa had a coach watching Derby County training sessions from a public footpath. The revered coach was subject to heavy criticism from some quarters of English football and eventually paid a £200,000 fine handed to the club by the EFL.
In similar fashion to Uruguay, Leeds announced a press conference with just a few hours notice and no explanation, leading to speculation Bielsa would resign. The Argentinian instead spoke for over an hour uninterrupted, delving into huge detail over his tactical analysis and attention to detail when looking at opponents.
The Leeds head coach had prepared a PowerPoint presentation detailing all the information he had on opposition players and teams, including formations and systems they used during training. It proved to be one of the iconic manager's most infamous moments in West Yorkshire and a press conference that is still talked about today.
As things stand, Bielsa is due to take Uruguay to the World Cup next year in what will be his third attempt at the major tournament in a third different continent. The former Leeds boss previously led Argentina in Japan in 2002 and Chile in South Africa in 2010.