During an exchange with the media, Marcelo Bielsa defended himself from critics over Leeds United’s style of play throughout the season.
Marcelo Bielsa has been heavily criticized for the style of play Leeds United has shown over the season in English football. For pundits, the Argentine manager risks too much during matches with his offensive style and gets bad results. But Bielsa is a lot like Pep Guardiola in that respect. He will die standing with his ideals intact, even if that means he loses matches along the way.
Contrary to other managers who don’t take criticism very kindly, Bielsa has been living under scrutiny for the majority of his managerial career. So when critics come after him, the Leeds’ boss has a thick skin and he doesn’t get offended easily. In fact, Bielsa has a very zen approach to any person who likes to write something negative about his tactics or results.
Bielsa’s approach to critics.
“I don’t worry too much about what the press think,” Bielsa said via Leeds United’s website. “I always listen, read and take the best possible message from what’s written. What does worry me is what’s written influences the public, they decrease the capacity to understand for the public. Also, (they) try to destabilize by suggesting to the players the style needs to be changed. Of course, this happens when the results allow. It doesn’t matter if in the previous game the opinion was completely different. This is not something new as media platforms, journalists, can only analyze results.
“Normally, when there is adversity, what you guys do is try to weaken those facing adversity or to ridicule the style of play of a team. I don’t worry about the objectives of the press’s questions. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to manage. What worries me about the press is the effect it has on the public. All (my) explanations are for the public to hear. I know I lose in this battle. I know the public need a simple explanation and mine is complex. I don’t have the intention that it will be valued or heard, but there is a conduct when you face these kinds of things.”
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