Marcelo Bielsa, the head coach of Uruguay, has once again showcased his unconventional demeanor by refusing to engage during a recent photoshoot for FIFA. During the mandatory media event last Wednesday, the 70-year-old appeared impassive, staring at the ground with his hands tucked into his pockets. Following Uruguay’s 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia on Monday, Bielsa responded to inquiries about his behavior.
“I don’t have to give any explanation, the picture was taken the way it was taken. Should I also explain why I don’t look to the people who are speaking to me at this moment?” he stated. “There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I’m wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses? You look somebody in the eye, why do you do that? There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.”
Even when reporters shifted to other topics, Bielsa continued to express his thoughts.
“There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I’m wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses? You look somebody in the eye, why do you do that? There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.”
Photographers Michael Regan and Molly Darlington captured portraits of the Uruguay squad in Cancún, Mexico, on June 10. While they managed to take expressive images of the players, Bielsa’s somewhat awkward photograph has emerged as one of the tournament’s early viral sensations.
Bielsa is well-known for his idiosyncratic behavior; during his tenure as manager of Leeds United, he famously sat on a plastic bucket due to chronic back pain. Additionally, he personally covered the £200,000 fine imposed on the club after they were caught spying on Derby in 2019.
