the newspaper Confidentially, from Spain, said in 2014: “Marcelo Bielsa is a strange guy. His eccentric character, which he combines with an unusual passion for football, is not lost on any Spanish fan at the moment.” It was at the time when the Argentine coach, nickname Crazy, directed by Athletic Bilbao. However, the emphasis is on this aspect of Rosario: “Besides his rarity, Bielsa’s most notable ability is his intelligence.”

About Bielsa, it was added in the Madrid newspaper that although “the teaching method was extreme, based on exhaustive repetition and the search for perfection in every exercise” among his players “no one dared to raise their voice against a coach who, for better or worse , manages to recruit everyone behind his passion for the game.

Today, Bielsa is the coach of the Uruguayan team, which is preparing to play a two-day match that begins the qualification for the 2026 World Cup, in which they will make their debut against Chile, in Montevideo (September 8), and then visit Ecuador, in Quito. (September 12). But in the eastern country, some have already raised their voices against it Crazy68 years old.

‘He didn’t give me the ball’

Except they know that Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, the veteran sky blue strikers, will not be called up, despite scoring 47 goals between them in games before the World Cup – a decision that has caused objections to DT – from the leadership of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF). has symptoms of discomfort due to Bielsa’s behavior.

A character with a dry, aloof demeanor and unique positions that provoke rejection from the authorities that employ him, Bielsa would already have his first failures off the field in Uruguayan football.

Carlos Manta, a member of the AUF Executive Committee, said in statements that the newspaper reproduces An observer: “I went to introduce myself to the complex and Bielsa didn’t give me a single word.” According to the Montevideo newspaper, the leader “admitted that the coach of the team did not pay attention to him. Manta spoke about the intention to meet with the coach of the Uruguayan team, Marcelo Bielsa, which was interrupted.

‘Pay me gas’

In the mentioned media, Manta told an anecdote that happened to him with Bielsa, “because he was so restrained”. “It is very difficult to reach him. With Matías Pérez (also AUF director) we are in charge of being close to the national teams in general and we have not yet had a relationship with Bielsa. Unfortunately, you don’t have the pleasure of meeting me. I went to introduce myself to the Uruguay Celeste complex and they didn’t even give me a ball.”

According to a member of the AUF Executive Committee: “I have a new car in reverse and I left. I told his assistant that I had traveled 200 kilometers to introduce myself and I did not have that pleasure. I’m going to see if he’ll give me back the gas for the 400 kilometers I traveled before meeting him. We will travel together and (Bielsa) will know that Carlos Manta is not silent.”

While, Clarion, from Buenos Aires, reports on another strange case that has Bielsa among the protagonists. “Much more sensitive was what happened at an organic level with the Celeste complex, the Uruguayan team’s training center: Claudio Pagani, the estate’s historic manager since 2011, suddenly left his position after brief dalliances with Bielsa, as reported to the Uruguayan press,” reported is on friday.

Delete the press room

recounts Clarion that “disagreement would arise from changes in the infrastructure promoted by the coach, with which Pagani did not agree. However, the works were carried out over the last three months and were in charge of María Eugenia Bielsa, sister architect of DT, as stated An observer“.

What reforms did Bielsa ask for? Abolition of the press room and the construction of an office for sports performances, along with the maintenance of the field, paved roads and a new irrigation system. “Pagani is known for the conditions the complex was in during each call, even comparing it to the best training centers in Europe.”

This speaks volumes about Bielsa’s position Clarion: “This is how, in undesirable conditions, as well as unexpectedly after three months at the helm and two games played, Bielsa started to be looked down upon by various fans. If you want to continue doing your typical ‘craziness’, it seems you will have to earn the trust of a few Uruguayans”. (D)