Id like to see what Bielsa could do with the England team
It'd be a hell of a lot more entertaining that's for sure. I don't think he'd take it now tho. He thrives on a project, turning a teams fortunes around and I think he likes working with players he knows that he can improve ten fold. He often gets questioned for having not won much but he's never taken a job at one of the so called big clubs. I recall Pep's saying before we played you "give Bielsa Man City and he wins trophies" pep loves him doesn't he.
The man isn't about money either, he's about principles and has proved it many times. When he joined us his home town club Newells Old Boys were going through difficulties and he funded the £2.5 million redevelopment of their training facilities. Then there's the £200,000 fine that we were given for spygate (a total joke that was by the way) and he insisted he pay it himself. He negotiates his contract to include the entire back room staff and everyone that works at Thorpe arch (I believe it's 50 odd people). He then pays them himself, and very generously too. Purchased a £25k motor recently for one of the dinner ladies.
There's probably a couple of reasons that he hasn't ever taken one of the big jobs,
1) Most of the prima donna superstars just wouldn't buy into his methods. His time as Argentina manager is case in point. It's reported many of that squad just couldn't live with his demands. Whereas he's a national hero in Chile as they bought into him and he revolutionized their whole setup from top to bottom.
When he first arrived at Leeds he had the whole squad picking litter up out in Wetherby for two days straight to instill the working class ethic into them. Then there's his murderball sessions, and 12 hour days in pre season with players having to live at the training ground for a weeks on end. I doubt you'd get someone like Hazard for example to buy into that.
2) Also many owners just wouldn't give him the control he demands. He's a man of his word and if something he thinks was promised isn't delivered then he'll just walk away. His time at Lazio lasted 2 days, promises on players and training ground redevelopment was retracted. Similar thing at Lille too, where he lasted a few games. He's also stated numerous times that his main priority isn't trophies it's playing a style of football that brings joy to supporters.
He's now been at Leeds longer than he has at any other club, I think we were just the perfect fit for him and at the perfect time. He's got full control here, he knows he's loved and as long as the board keep giving him what he requires and that he can push us on further I think he'll stay for a while longer yet. He actually hasn't even signed his contract for next season yet, he prefers to do it on a yearly basis. I don't know a single Leeds fan that is worried he's not going to tho.
All the shit we went through for 16 years prior to his arrival, bent owners, the only skint arabs in the world, Cellino (fucking fruit loop he was) Ridsdale living the dream, sinking two divisions, administration, points deductions, Ken fucking Bates, new manger every other month and utter garbage on the pitch all while still paying Premier League prices to watch it all.
If the man doesn't bring us silverware in however long we still have him for I really wouldn't care. I'm just enjoying every minute of it and it's a long time since I've been able to say that. The football is just a joy to watch, with a proper honest bunch of players, many playing at a standard I wouldn't have thought possible. Credit has to also go to Radrizanni but there's no doubt Bielsa is a genius. He's basically god around these parts.
