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Football

28th Sep 2018

Marcelo Bielsa admits he doesn’t know how to win titles in best interview yet

The Leeds manager showed his humility in tonight's post-match interview when it was put to him that he's a coach who knows how to win titles

Reuben Pinder

El Loco strikes again

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United came back from 1-0 down tonight to secure a point against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Adam Reach opened the scoring with a stunning volley that looped over Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s head, before Mateusz Klich levelled the scoring with a curled effort from outside the box.

Speaking after the game, Bielsa gave his obligatory post-match interview to Sky Sports, accompanied by his interpreter. In past weeks, his interviews have provided some great moments of entertainment, but tonight’s was possibly his bet yet since moving to England.

The interviewer kindly put it to him that he is a manager who knows how to win titles, but Bielsa humbly pointed out that his personal trophy cabinet is quite bare.

“I don’t think I know how to win titles,” Bielsa admitted.

“Almost the opposite,” he added.

“We’ll see if I can change this characteristic here [in the UK]. There have been many years in which I’ve not won a title.”

It’s a common misconception that Bielsa is a title winner. While he is one of the most revolutionary coaches of the modern era, laying down the blueprint for how modern football is played, with Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone his most famous disciples, his reputation stems from his personality and his commitment to one style of play.

During his time as a manager in Europe, he has reached the 2012 Europa League final with Athletic Bilbao, but the Basque side lost to Atlético Madrid 3-0, and in the same season they lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona by the same scoreline.