Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera, nicknamed El Loco Bielsa, is an Argentine professional football manager who is the current manager of the Uruguay national team. Born on 21 July 1955, Bielsa has had a storied career in football, both as a player and a manager, with significant achievements and milestones that have shaped his reputation as one of the most influential coaches of all time.
Main Milestones
Birth
21 July 1955
Marcelo Bielsa was born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina.
Early Football Career
1975–1977
Bielsa played as a defender for Newell's Old Boys, marking the beginning of his professional football career.
International Debut
1976
Bielsa was part of the Argentina U23 team in the 1976 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Continued Football Career
1978–1980
Bielsa continued his football career, playing for Instituto and Argentino de Rosario before retiring at the age of 25 to focus on coaching.
Coaching Debut
1987–1990
Bielsa began his coaching career with Newell's Old Boys II, laying the groundwork for his future managerial success.
First Major Coaching Role
1990–1992
Bielsa took over as the head coach of Newell's Old Boys, winning several titles and establishing himself as a promising young manager.
International Coaching Experience
1993–1995
Bielsa moved to Mexico to coach Club Atlas and Club América, gaining valuable international experience.
Return to Argentina
1997–1998
Bielsa returned to Argentina to manage Vélez Sarsfield, leading them to the 1998 league title (Clausura).
Leeds United
2018–2022
Bielsa became the head coach of Leeds United, leading the team to promotion to the Premier League in the 2019–20 season and achieving a ninth-place finish in the 2020–21 season.
Uruguay National Team
2023–Present
Bielsa took over as the manager of the Uruguay national team, aiming to lead them to success in the 2026 World Cup.
Luis Suárez Controversy
October 2024
Bielsa faced public criticism from Luis Suárez over his coaching methods and communication style, which Bielsa acknowledged affected his authority but did not alter his team's preparation and performance.
