'I don't think that's right' - Ex-Leeds United hero Marcelo Bielsa defended after 'untruths'
A Uruguay player has come to the defence of Leeds United hero Marcelo Bielsa after an inglorious World Cup campaign ended in an early exit.
Bielsa's time with Uruguay was set to come to a close after this summer's World Cup regardless, but draws with Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde and a defeat by Spain removed the chance of a fond farewell. The criticism has been fierce and Bielsa himself said after the loss to Spain that he had given Uruguayan football 'nothing.'
"What I gave Uruguayan football is nothing, because any contribution a coach makes to a national team over three years is futile without positive outcomes," he said. "I don't need to speak any further about our performance at the World Cup. If you ask how they are going to remember me, they will remember me as having left nothing."
Bielsa has returned to Uruguay and plans to hold a press conference, having already made headlines by snapping at a post-game interview that was taking too long to begin. But amid talk of rifts and dressing room revolt, one player opted to defend Bielsa. Sebastián Cáceres was reportedly the only player aboard the commercial flight upon which Bielsa flew back into Montevideo. The defender, who plays for Liga MX club América, spoke to assembled media and refused to reveal details of dressing room conversations but he attempted to dispel some untruths that have emerged.
"I'm not going to say what happened behind closed doors," he said. "I can say that some things came out, were leaked, that were completely untrue, that didn't happen as they were portrayed. Everything that was said was twisted and distorted. I think the information was manipulated a lot, perhaps to make Marcelo look bad, and I don't think that's right. I don't think it was the right thing to do."
Cáceres' assessment was that Uruguay gave up avoidable goals and made life harder for themselves. And he went on record with his appreciation for Bielsa. "Obviously, I can only speak for myself," he said. "I have the utmost respect for him and am very grateful. Perhaps some may have a different opinion, but I think that, generally speaking, most people know how things went."