Marcelo Bielsa will not be making an emotional return to Athletic Bilbao this summer, according to Spanish outlet El Correo. Reports had linked the Argentine manager with a move to Los Leones following his sacking by Leeds United.
Elland Road chiefs axed Bielsa after three-and-a-half years in February as a desperate attempt to save the club from relegation. Appointing Jesse Masch proved the right decision as the Whites avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the season.
The popular former boss was reportedly in the running to take over at Bilbao - the club he guided to the cusp of glory in 2012, losing the Europa League final to Atletico Madrid. A fiercely contested presidential race at Bilbao was decisive in their next managerial appointment.
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Jon Uriarte dominated the election, winning 46% of the vote after pledging to instil ex-Manchester United target Ernesto Valverde as manager. The Spaniard has had three previous stints at the club, once as a player and twice as head coach. He has been out of work since losing his job at Barcelona two years ago.
Bielsa continues to seek a return to football after four months in the managerial wilderness. In a plea to potential suitors, the 66-year-old has already outlined his ideal pre-season ahead of an unprecedented World Cup-affected season.
“A five-week pre-season, the sixth week ends with the first league match,” Bielsa said recently.
“This year will be doubled because there is a World Cup between November and December, and then the training time, with sessions of 60 or 70 minutes, shorter and intense. Gym and stretching sessions are recurrent to reduce injuries, as is the daily weight report, based on diet and hydration control.”
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