The Malta Independent 20 May 2025, Tuesday
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Bielsa Offers no clues over Athletic Bilbao coaching future

Malta Independent Sunday, 27 May 2012, 00:00 Last update: about 14 years ago

Marcelo Bielsa offered no clues to his Athletic Bilbao future despite fans’ pleas for the Argentine coach to remain after a 3-0 Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona on Friday night.

Bilbao fans chanted “Bielsa, stay on” at Vicente Calderon Stadium at the close - just over two weeks after the Basque side lost the Europa League final 3-0 to Atletico Madrid.

Bielsa said he would sit down with club bosses to discuss his future with a decision set to be taken by next week “in one sense or the other.”

Bilbao beat Manchester United en route to the Europa League final but Bielsa says his planning against Barcelona failed.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola encouraged Bielsa to stay, calling Bilbao’s matches “some of the most marvellous we saw this year.”

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