On Tuesday, we covered an interview from the Chilean press with Francisco Meneghini, who used to be Marcelo Bielsa’s spy for the national team.
And although the spygate has been left behind by the English press, the international media are still finding some characters who can talk about the subject.
So now, Radio Renascença features a chat with João Oliveira Janeiro, who used to be one of Bielsa’s scouts, but is also called a ‘spy’ by the outlet.
Janeiro has claimed he sent a letter to Bielsa’s office at Athletic Club Bilbao, and ended up getting the job. He used to make analysis of all opponents the club would face, and even showed one of the documents where he reported back on a match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Regarding the spygate, Janeiro says he knew nothing about this during Bielsa’s time in Bilbao, but even though it may be considered unethical by some, he believes the manager is right for telling the truth once he was caught.
“At the time, I did not know anything, but I don’t doubt he did. Morally wrong, but worse would be not to admit. These are other ways of analysing your opponent. Many coaches naturally believe in their game identity, but the reality is that teams don’t play alone, they play against 11 players, so the analysis of the opponent is very important. He himself does this analysis much by disclaimer of conscience. What he probably wanted to discover was the initial eleven of Derby, nothing more, to be able to pass information to his players.
“In South America, this is something very normal, and that’s why they are much more careful in protecting their training sessions, because it is a common practice. Everyone knows, but nobody talks. In a Champions League, the teams will play and someone thinks that in the training of adaptation to the pitch there is no one from the opposing club to see? The stadium is theirs, so screwed is the coach who thinks of preparing the tactic for that game on the eve of the game.”
