Marcelo Bielsa, currently the manager of the Uruguayan national team, will always have a special place in the hearts of Leeds United fans.
The Argentine was key to taking the Whites back to the Premier League and was close to taking Uruguay to Copa America glory in the summer.
They lost to Colombia in the semi-finals and there was some praise for how Bielsa imposed his ideas on the side. Despite that, Le Celeste icon Luis Suarez has criticised the Leeds United icon.
Mundo Deportivo relayed some comments from the striker, who spoke to ‘De fútbol se habla así’ yesterday.
“In the Copa América there were situations that hurt me, which I did not say for the sake of coexistence.”
Suarez went on to speak about Bielsa’s treatment of national team captain Agustin Cannobio.
“I support Canobbio for what happened. On many days he made him do exercises with the players who were sparring and that is a complete lack of respect.”
“Many players held a meeting to ask the coach to at least say good morning to us, but he didn’t even say hello.”
The ex-Liverpool man also revealed that Bielsa placed strict distinctions on whether the non-playing staff can meet the players or not.
“At the Celeste Complex, the employees are not allowed to come in and greet us and eat with us.
“They have to be careful even at the door where they have to enter. It breaks my heart that this is how things are at the complex today.”
Bielsa has always been known to be very insistent on his ways – be it on the pitch or off the pitch. That makes him who he is.
Leeds United fans can confirm that, but he certainly showed a lot of warmth whilst in Yorkshire, which would put Suarez’s claims in doubt.
While Suarez has reason to be frustrated, Uruguay have lost only three games under Bielsa’s command.
