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Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has refused to take part in a World Cup photoshoot, choosing to stare at the ground rather than face the cameras.
The former Leeds boss, nicknamed ‘El Loco’ (madman), has long been associated with unconventional methods that divide opinion but have also inspired a younger generation of demanding coaches, including Pep Guardiola.
And the 70-year-old was in no mood to justify his stance after his side’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia. Asked why he did not engage, he said: ‘I don’t have to give any explanation.
‘The picture was taken the way it was taken. I’m not a model. I have no answer for that.
‘Should I also explain why I don’t look at those who are speaking now (in the news conference)? There are no explanations for me to give.’
It has become standard practice for FIFA to photograph all teams and staff at the World Cup, and Bielsa briefly addressed other matters in his post-match press conference before returning to the issue.
‘We have no obligation to behave as models. Those things have no foundation. I did nothing wrong,’ Bielsa argued after Uruguay’s 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia on Monday
‘There is a limit to what we need to explain,’ he added.
‘If I’m wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses? You look somebody in the eye – why? There is nothing wrong with wearing glasses, looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.
‘We have no obligation to behave as models. Those things have no foundation. I did nothing wrong.’
Bielsa has been in charge of Uruguay since May 2023, having previously led Argentina and Chile, as well as clubs including Athletic Bilbao, Leeds and Marseille.
A self-confessed ‘generator of tension’, the Argentinian’s tenure at the helm of the Uruguayan national team has threatened to sour on more than one occasion.
Early excitement, fuelled by landmark wins over Brazil and Argentina in qualifying, gave way to friction during the 2024 Copa America, where Uruguay finished third.
Bielsa’s intensity throughout the tournament failed to win over sections of the squad.
Former international Luis Suarez criticised his methods after a 2-0 win over Argentina, claiming his dressing-down of Darwin Nunez reduced the former Liverpool striker to tears. Bielsa later said Suarez’s comments had affected his ‘authority’ in the dressing room.
Despite a relatively modest trophy haul for a coach of his longevity, Bielsa remains deeply admired by younger coaches including Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino.
‘To be loved is the biggest title, bigger than the Champions League or Premier League or whatever,’ Guardiola said, after visiting Bielsa in Argentina before beginning his coaching career at Barcelona.
‘To be loved is the most important thing, and I think Marcelo has that more than any other manager in the world.’
There is a growing sense that this tournament, his third with three different national teams, will be his last, and he lamented a missed opportunity against Saudi Arabia after Spain dropped points earlier in the day.
‘An opponent we should have beaten; we gave away too much in the first half, which shows we didn’t do things right,’ he said. ‘We had to win this match.’
Next up are surprise package Cape Verde on Sunday (11pm UK).
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
