Bielsa For Assistant Coach

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by MarioKempes, Feb 16, 2022.

  1. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Marcelo Bielsa is revered around the world for his "beautiful game" tactics, his impeccable integrity, and his getting the most out of players. Under Bielsa, Leeds United came out of the Championship and has survived 2 seasons in the Premier League. They currently sit in 15th place, but most would wager they will stay up. Nevertheless, I expect Bielsa to leave Leeds after this season when his contract expires. He is 66 years old and should be available at the end of May

    Now ponder that Leeds has the 2nd lowest payroll in the Premier League. https://www.spotrac.com/epl/payroll/
    Consider also that Leeds has been devastated with injuries this season. For example, Patrick Bamford was 4th on the PL scoring table last season with 17 goals, but he has been injured for most of the current season. He's only had 5 starts and has scored 2 goals. Despite all this, Leeds is still sitting 15th and out of the relegation zone.

    Imagine Bielsa adding his offensive insight to GGG's squad. Imagine him directing our attack and giving GGG pointers on counter-attacking. Man, we could do something in this World Cup. Now imagine the excitement of our players being coached by the Wizard of Leeds [TM] along with the Columbus Librarian [TM]. I know you are excited, too. Imagine the scouting reports The Professor would put together of our World Cup opponents. We'd probably have to pay him $2M - $4M for a 6 month contract, but it would be worth it.
     
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  2. Bajoro

    Bajoro Member+

    Sep 10, 2000
    The Inland Empire
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank you @MarioKempes for my BigSoccer Smile-of-the-Day[TM]
     
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  3. OWN(yewu)ED

    OWN(yewu)ED Member+

    Club: Venezia F.C.
    May 26, 2006
    chico, CA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the city of Leeds would likely declare war if that happened. That man is christened Manager 4 Lyfe for that club
     
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  4. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He only signed a 1-year contract that ends in May. He will for sure leave Leeds after this season.
     
  5. FlipsLikeAPancake

    Jul 6, 2010
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ...and if he does he certainly shall not be leaving to be an assistant for the USMNT.
     
  6. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think he was probably going to retire. This will be fun for him.
     
  7. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    In exchange Leeds United can have Anthony Hudson
     
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  8. rgli13

    rgli13 Member+

    Mar 23, 2005
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    and- hear me out now- sir alex ferguson as kit man. just think of greggs defense without all the misspelled wondo jersey hiccups...
     
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  9. IndividualEleven

    Mar 16, 2006
    It's surprising Leeds's spending is so low. I thought they were a bigger club.
     
  10. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes I would take one of the best coaches in soccer as an assistant with the USMNT.

    But that's not happening.

    https://theathletic.com/3128698/202...-leeds-united-future-this-time-its-different/

    The most relevant USMNT thing I've gotten from the Biesla situation is that if he leaves Leeds (which I don't think he will), Jesse Marsch is on the short list to report him (as they he fits their style well and he has some connection with their sporting director).
     
  11. PassionOfTheFoot

    Feb 12, 2002
    Incheon, South Korea
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Love Bielsa. He was in charge of Argentina during my favorite USMNT friendly match of all time! And Berhalter was playing, too.

     
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  12. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This was the beginning of the great WC 2002 run...
     
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  13. OWN(yewu)ED

    OWN(yewu)ED Member+

    Club: Venezia F.C.
    May 26, 2006
    chico, CA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think their PTSD from their premier league relegation is still very real. They are going to be super, super cautious for awhile now. Theyre just happy to be with the big boys again at this juncture.
     
  14. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think they're also spending a bunch of money investing in like a new training facility and other improvements to the club. I think they also want to expand the stadium.
     
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  15. Bajoro

    Bajoro Member+

    Sep 10, 2000
    The Inland Empire
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ah, memories. That's one of my favorite US goals of all time. Thanks, Earnie!

    About that time, early in Arena's first stint as US manager, a naive young male reporter asked Arena if the US men, who finished last at the '98 World Cup, could beat the US women, who had just won the '99 Women's Cup. (He was serious.)

    Arena just grinned and said, "Oh, I think we could give 'em a good game."

    Quick wit, that guy.
     
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  16. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Not revered, however, for the trophies he's won, which number very few in a 40-year managerial career.
     
  17. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The most relevant thing about this is if Biesla does leave (and I don't think he will), it was reported today that Jesse Marsch would be the first choice to replace him.
     
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  18. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't want him to be the head coach. I want him to improve the offense.
     
  19. saxman

    saxman Member

    Nov 12, 2005
    Frederick,Maryland
    I was at that game. As a matter of fact, it was the first time I saw the USMNT
    I was at that game. As a matter of fact it was my first USMNT game. It was an awesome atmosphere and game
     
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  20. saxman

    saxman Member

    Nov 12, 2005
    Frederick,Maryland
    Sorry, phone screwed up that previous post somehow.
     
  21. Susaeta

    Susaeta BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 3, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I am on record as saying Berhalter (who is a poor tactician) needs a Bielsa-type tactician on his coaching staff. But I doubt Bielsa himself is looking to play second fiddle to Gregg Berhalter.
     
  22. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    LOL. I don't really think Bielsa would be interested in the job. It's just something fun to ponder. This would be a short gig. The World Cup runs 21 November to 18 December 2022.

    Bielsa's contract could be June 3 to December 2, which is through the first round.
    He would provide consulting for offensive tactics, lineups, and scouting opponents.
     
  23. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think someone like Biesla is not realistic. Berhalter’s most recent assistant hire was Luchi Gonzalez. And nothing against him, but he’s no Biesla.

    If you want someone for a short term consultancy type role, your best bet is someone like Jessie Marsch until he finds a full time gig. Another realistic option would be someone like Tab Ramos. Option B would be an up and coming coach with good potential who hasn’t gotten an MLS head coaching job yet. Landon Donovan would be an example of someone along those lines.

    Now by no means would you have to bring in an American coach for this sort of role, they’d just be more likely to accept it. Top tier foreign coaches are not coming to the USMNT to be an assistant coach. You’d be more like to poach and up and coming type whose willing to make the jump to build up their resume or because they aren’t getting opportunities elsewhere. But they’d be unproven.

    Of course give the success of John Herdman you could also bring in Jill Ellis for such a role, given she’s already on the payroll at USSF.
     
  24. onefineesq

    onefineesq Member+

    Sep 16, 2003
    Laurel, MD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was at this game, at RFK Stadium. It was an absolutely incredible game to attend.
     
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  25. Susaeta

    Susaeta BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 3, 2009
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, he is not. The problem is he is another version of Berhalter. Same strengths, same weaknesses. Great at managing people, creating a strong sense of team. Poor tactician. If anything, worse than Gregg at assembling and orchestrating attacking talent.
     

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