Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he learned a lot under maverick Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa and admits that he was not surprised to see his mentor leave Marseille at the start of the season.
Pochettino started his career under the legendary but maverick Argentine coach at Newell’s Old Boys, and also went on to play under him for Argentina and La Liga outfit Espanyol.
The Argentine has always credited Bielsa for planting the seeds of coaching in him and admits that he learned a lot about the game from the 60-year-old during their time together for club and country.
While speaking about Bielsa, Pochettino told French radio station RMC: “He was my first coach in the training centre at Newell’s Old Boys.
“I learned more about the Argentine first division and the Argentina national team with him. He rests and prepares plans for the future.”
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After losing the first game of the season against Caen in August last year, Bielsa resigned as Marseille manager as a result of differences with the club hierarchy, and Pochettino admits that it didn’t shock him.
He believes for a coach like Bielsa it is difficult to find the right kind of chairman and the surroundings at a club where his innovative ideas will be able to thrive.
When asked about Bielsa’s sudden resignation, the Argentine said: “It didn’t surprise me as I know him well. I know at any moment something like that can happen when he is not happy.
“He is a great coach and a special person; it’s not easy for him to find the kind of president and the surroundings that he wants at a club.
“It’s not easy for anyone.”
