Former Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa is set to make his return to the dugout after leaving Elland Road in 2022. Bielsa was recently named as the new manager for the Uruguay national side after their previous boss Diego Alonso resigned due to a poor World Cup – in which the two times champions did not make it out the group stage.
Bielsa will make his first appearance as the manager of the South American side when Uruguay takes on Nicaragua late tonight.
The Argentine will always hold a special place in the hearts of Leeds United fans, after he guided the Whites back to the Premier League back in 2020. His fast-attacking football was not just enjoyed by fans of the Elland Road side, but by anybody who watched the Premier League.
His Leeds side started to feel the pressure in the season before last, and he was eventually let go after a poor run of games left the Whites just two points above the drop.
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This is not however Bielsa’s first venture into managing an international side. The Argentinian managed his home country for six years between 1998-2004, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Bielsa also managed another South American side in Chile, He guided them to the last 16 in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The former Leeds boss had been linked with a return to the Premier League when Bournemouth and Everton had vacancies last season, but he remained out of work until Uruguay came calling.
He takes in charge a year out from the 2024 Copa America which will be hosted in the United States, Uruguay have won the tournament 15 times but have yet to win since 2011, could Bielsa be the one that changes that?
