Marcelo Bielsa · Biography

On 29 February 1976 Marcelo Bielsa made his debut in the Argentine top flight for Newell's Old Boys, in a match against River Plate. Born in Rosario, in Santa Fe province, on 21 July 1955, he had a short playing career and built his name on the touchline. As a coach he won two league titles with Newell's and one with Vélez Sarsfield, plus the Olympic gold medal at Athens 2004 with Argentina. He also managed the national teams of Chile and Uruguay and clubs in Mexico, Spain, France and England.

Early years and playing career

Bielsa came through the youth ranks at Newell's Old Boys, the Rosario club where he made his debut in 1976. He stayed with the first team until 1978, when he moved to Instituto in Córdoba. In 1979 he returned to Rosario to play for Argentino, where he retired in 1980. After hanging up his boots he turned to developing players and working with youth teams.

Newell's Old Boys: from the academy to the first team

In 1982 he went back to Newell's to work in the youth system, first as a talent scout and from 1987 in charge of the reserve side. In July 1990 he took over the first team. In his first season he won the 1990 Apertura and, after the final against Boca Juniors, the 1990-91 Argentine championship. In 1992 he added the Clausura and led the side to the Copa Libertadores final, which they lost to São Paulo on penalties (3-2) after the tie finished level. He left the club that same year.

Mexico, Vélez and Espanyol

In 1992 he joined Atlas in Guadalajara, first working on player recruitment and, from the 1993-94 season, coaching the first team. He stayed in Mexico with Club América, whom he managed from 1995 until March 1996. Back in Argentina, he took charge of Vélez Sarsfield in 1997 and won the 1998 Clausura. In July 1998 he signed for RCD Espanyol, his first European club, but resigned a few months later. In October of that year he became Argentina's head coach.

Argentina head coach

Bielsa managed Argentina from October 1998 until 2004. The team qualified for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan but went out in the group stage, finishing third in Group F. At the 2004 Copa América in Peru they reached the final and lost to Brazil on penalties (4-2). That same summer Argentina won the football tournament at the Athens Olympics, the country's first Olympic gold in the sport. He stepped down after the Games.

Chile and the 2010 World Cup

The Chilean federation named him head coach on 10 August 2007, and his first match came on 7 September that year against Switzerland. He took Chile to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the country's first appearance at the tournament since 1998. Chile finished second in Group H with six points and were knocked out in the round of 16 by Brazil (0-3). He left the post on 4 February 2011.

Athletic Club, Marseille, Lazio and Lille

In July 2011 he was appointed coach of Athletic Club. In 2011-12 he led the Bilbao side to two finals: the 2012 Europa League final, lost 3-0 to Atlético de Madrid, and the Copa del Rey final, won by FC Barcelona by the same score. He extended his deal in June 2012, and on 7 June 2013 the club confirmed he would not continue. On 2 May 2014 Olympique de Marseille announced his appointment; he made his Ligue 1 debut on 9 August 2014 against Bastia and resigned at the start of the 2015-16 season after a 1-0 home defeat to Caen. In July 2016 he agreed to coach Lazio and quit two days later without taking charge of a match. In 2017 he took over at Lille, who suspended him on 22 November and ended the relationship on 15 December that year.

Leeds United and Uruguay

On 15 June 2018 he signed for Leeds United, then in the English second tier. In 2019-20 he won the EFL Championship and took the club back to the Premier League, which they had left in 2004. He managed the side in the top flight until he was dismissed on 27 February 2022. The Uruguayan Football Association confirmed him as national team coach on 15 May 2023. With Uruguay he finished third at the 2024 Copa América and qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Drawn in Group H, Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia and 2-2 with Cape Verde and lost 1-0 to Spain, results that sent them out in the group stage. Bielsa left the job in June 2026.