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Marcelo Alberto BielsaHead coach of Athletic
Date of Birth: 21.07.1955
Country:  Argentina |
Content:
Biography of Marcelo Alberto Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa, also known as "El Loco" (The Crazy One), is an Argentine former football player and current coach. He was born on July 21, 1955, in Rosario, Argentina. Bielsa is known for his eccentric personality and his obsession with the game of football.
Early Life and Career
Bielsa was born into a well-known family. His father, Rafael Pedro Bielsa, was a lawyer and his mother, Lidia Caldera, was a teacher. Despite his parents' wishes for him to pursue a career in politics or law, Bielsa chose to follow his passion for football. He began his football career at the club "Newell's Old Boys" in Rosario, where he played as a defender.
After a successful career as a player, Bielsa decided to pursue coaching. He obtained a coaching education and started his career as the coach of the youth team of Newell's. In 1988, he led the team to win the championship of the third division.
Coaching Career
Bielsa's success with the youth team caught the attention of the senior team's management, and in 1990, he was appointed as the head coach of Newell's first team. Under his guidance, the team achieved great success, finishing in second place in the Apertura tournament and winning the Integrasion tournament.
In 1992, Bielsa led Newell's to the final of the Copa Libertadores and won the Clausura championship. His team was known for their collective style of play, with all 11 players attacking and defending together. Bielsa's coaching abilities and success with Newell's attracted attention from other clubs and national teams.
In 1998, Bielsa became the head coach of the Argentine national team. Under his leadership, Argentina qualified for the 2002 World Cup but failed to advance past the group stage. Despite criticism from the media, Bielsa was given a second chance and led Argentina to a second-place finish in the 2004 Copa America and a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
After leaving the national team in 2004, Bielsa coached various clubs, including Atlas and America in Mexico. In 2007, he was appointed as the head coach of the Chilean national team, leading them to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and reach the round of 16.
Recent Years
In 2011, Bielsa was appointed as the head coach of Athletic Bilbao in Spain. He achieved success with the team, leading them to the finals of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Europa League. However, he left the club in 2013 after disagreements with the board.
Since then, Bielsa has had coaching stints at various clubs, including Marseille in France and Leeds United in England. He is known for his intense and demanding coaching style, as well as his tactical expertise.
Throughout his career, Bielsa has been recognized for his contributions to the sport. He was named the Football Coach of the Year in Argentina in 1998 and was awarded the Best Football Coach in the World by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics in 2001.
Bielsa's passion and dedication to the game of football have made him one of the most respected and influential coaches in the world. Despite his unconventional lifestyle and eccentricities, he continues to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
