Decoding Bielsa

ABOUT THE BOOKMarcelo Bielsa represents a striking landmark in the history of Argentine football. The support that his body of work inspires goes well beyond the performance of his teams. Without accumulating a mountain of accomplishments, he has nevertheless become a coach with a cult following, both in Argentina and abroad, because of what he represents and not necessarily because of what he’s achieved. If other coaches have managed to become accepted for their football principles, the man from Rosario has gone a step further: he is adored for his values more than for his results. In that area, it goes without saying, he is unbeatable. Pablo Vignone has undertaken the task of decoding Bielsa through meticulous monitoring of the statements he has made in the exclusive interviews he gave until 1998, the press conferences he’s given (and to which he has become so fond, in order to be fair to those who want to hear him speak), and his masterful lectures with their fabulous didactic spirit. All in an attempt to construct a full understanding of the man behind the coach. To strip him down to his character, dismantle his mechanisms, delve into his contradictions, try to shed light on his controversial moments, and portray the complex profile of his personality in all its dimensions. This is a Bielsa who speaks for himself, without double-talk, about what he knows, what he feels, and what he expects. Grouped thematically, his statements reveal his concerns, passions, convictions, and weaknesses. When read with a critical eye, they reveal the substance of his character. This book is, in short, a novel way of examining this leading actor on the recent stage of world football, an actor who still maintains his passion and love for the ball.ABOUT THE AUTHORBorn 1963 in Buenos Aires; Journalist, writer, teacher, and historian. Working in the profession since 1988, he was editor-in-chief of the magazine El Grafico, and served as head of the Sports Section of the newspapers Página/12 and La Nación. He has worked as an editor at every World Cup from Italy 1990 to Russia 2018. He published “Partidazo” in 2010 and “Así jugamos” in 2014. Recipient of the 2016 “Lobo De Mar” award in honor of his career of journalistic excellence. A professor at the University of Buenos Aires, he also taught courses at the University of Palermo and taught journalism at DeporTEA for almost 25 years. He has worked for TyC Sports and Fox Sports and currently works for ESPN. Read more