Marcelo Bielsa resigns as Lazio boss after two days
Marcelo Bielsa has resigned as Lazio coach just two days after being appointed by the club, it was anounced on Friday.
The Italian club has immediately threatened Bielsa with legal action. His shock decision has sparked speculation that he could be appointed as Argentina’s new coach.
Bielsa only replaced Simone Inzaghi – who took temporary charge after Stefano Pioli was sacked in the second half of last season – on Wednesday. He was due to arrive in Rome with his staff on Saturday.
Lazio have asked Inzaghi to step into the breach once again as an interim measure.
Comunicato 08.07.2016 https://t.co/1c7Y22LcHy
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) July 8, 2016
“We acknowledge with astonishment the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa, inclusive of his collaborators, in blatant violation of the deal agreed via the contracts signed last week and lawfully deposited with the Lega and the FIGC, according to all the related procedures,” a club statement read.
“The club reserves the right to take all actions that will protect its rights, and hands the leadership of the team during the preparatory training to Simone Inzaghi.”
Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Bielsa, nicknamed ‘El Loco’ – the Madman – called Lazio boss Claudio Lotito in the middle of the night to say he had decided not to come to Rome.
Bielsa walked away from Spanish club Espanyol in similar circumstances in 1998. He was appointed on July 1, but left in September – to take the Argentina job.
Bielsa also quit Marseille after the first match of last season following a contract dispute with the club’s owners.
Gerardo Martino resigned as Argentina coach on Tuesday and Bielsa was immediately touted as a possible successor, but Lazio then announced him as their new boss.
Bielsa had a six-year spell as Argentina boss between 1998-2004, guiding them to gold in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and to the final of the 2004 Copa America.
