Marcelo Bielsa Tactical Revolution

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bielsa took over the Argentina national team in 1998 after a four-year period under Daniel Passarella. At the 1999 Copa América, Argentina lost 3–0 to Colombia in a game where forward Martin Palermo missed three penalties and Bielsa was sent off. In the press conference afterward, Bielsa said of his expulsion: 'the referee was absolutely correct because I protested in an ill mannered form.' Argentina won the qualification group for the 2002 FIFA World Cup but did not progress through the first knockout round. Despite this, Bielsa stayed on. The Albicelestes were runners-up in the 2004 Copa América and won the 2004 Olympic Games' gold medal — the first Argentinian Olympic gold in 52 years. Bielsa resigned at the end of 2004, being succeeded by José Pékerman.

In Their Own Story

At the 1999 Copa América, Argentina faced Colombia. Forward Martin Palermo missed three penalties in a single game, and Bielsa was sent off. In the post-match press conference, Bielsa sat staring into space, refusing eye contact. Asked about the referee, he said: 'One doesn't usually have the habit of commenting on referees, but… in respect of my expulsion, the referee was absolutely correct because I protested in an ill mannered form.' Argentina won the qualification group for the 2002 FIFA World Cup but exited in the first knockout round. Bielsa stayed on, leading Argentina to runners-up at the 2004 Copa América and gold at the 2004 Olympic Games — the first Latin American team to win the Olympic title since 1928, and Argentina's first Olympic gold in 52 years. He resigned at the end of 2004.

Reader's Guide

Bielsa managed Argentina from 1998 to the end of 2004. His team won the qualification group for the 2002 FIFA World Cup but did not advance past the first knockout round. Despite that disappointment, he remained in charge. Argentina finished as runners-up in the 2004 Copa América and won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. That Olympic gold was the first for Argentina in 52 years and the first for any Latin American team since 1928. Bielsa resigned at the end of 2004 and was replaced by José Pékerman.

Did You Know?

• At the 1999 Copa América, Argentina forward Martin Palermo missed three penalties in a single game against Colombia.
• Bielsa was sent off during that 1999 Copa América match and later said the referee 'was absolutely correct' because he had protested 'in an ill mannered form.'
• Argentina won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games — the first Argentinian Olympic gold in 52 years.
• Bielsa's Argentina team was the first Latin American side to win the Olympic football title since 1928.
• Bielsa resigned at the end of 2004 and was succeeded by José Pékerman.