Two Days in Lazio: The truth behind Marcelo Bielsa's chaotic 48 hours as coach of Serie A side
Marcelo Bielsa is back. The manager of Leeds United was the talk of the town after his men almost nailed a win against defending champions Liverpool last week. They may have lost 4-3 to the Reds, but that was proof enough that Leeds United were no pushovers. Much credit goes to "El Loco" Bielsa who made sure the team stormed back to top-tier football in style after being out of the Premier League for 16 years. The team was promoted back this July.
Ahead of their next match against Fulham, Bielsa finds himself in a conversation that dates back to 2016 when he was signed in as the coach of SS Lazio, a Serie A club in July. The world was aware of the sensational move of him quitting just two days after being signed. Later on, Bielsa revealed the reason behind the move. The club had failed to recruit the players the manager had requested. According to the Mirror, "It had been decided and made clear... that reinforcements were necessary, taking into account the departure of 18 players from last season."
"It was agreed, as an essential condition to the implementation of the work program, that we would sign at least four footballers before July 5, with the aim that they would participate in pre-season training. To this date, not one player has been signed. For my method of working we needed to have these players arrive in a timely manner to train," Bielsa said. "It is important to note I have no other alternative work offers," Bielsa added.
"We will soon send the legal documentation certifying the resignations," he explained in his statement. "I understand that you inform this decision to the media. Only if necessary you may offer some kind of public clarification."
Fast forward two years, Bielsa then replaced Paul Heckingbottom as the manager of Leeds United, signing a two-year contract in 2018. The results were immediate as the side beat Stoke City 3–1 and followed it up with a 4-1 leap over Derby County. The winning run was extended to two more matches as they registered a 2-1 win over Bolton and a 2-0 victory over Rotherham United. This made him the first Leeds United manager ever to win four consecutive matches at the start of their tenure as manager.
With Bielsa renewing his contract in 2019, the club made the move that Lazio didn't. They got him the players he asked for. Leeds United signed Hélder Costa, Ben White (on loan), Jack Harrison (on loan), Jack Clarke (on loan), Illan Meslier (on loan) and Eddie Nketiah (on loan), in their bid to push for the Premier League promotion. The results by the end of the season were out there for the world to see. Leeds made a comeback after 16 long years and now are shaping as a team that's ready to fight with the big boys.
Bielsa's side will face Fulham on Saturday, September 19, 2020.