- Title: Lille's newly-signed manager Bielsa favours an "attacking" side
- Date: 23rd May 2017
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (FILE - JULY 1, 2010) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** THEN CHILE COACH MARCELO BIELSA ENTERING PRESIDENTIAL PALACE THEN PRESIDENT SEBASTIAN PINERA GREETING PLAYERS AND BIELSA UNKNOWN LOCATION, PORTUGAL (FILE - APRIL 18, 2012) (REUTERS) BIELSA AS ATHLETIC BILBAO MANAGER ATHLETIC BILBAO TRAINING UNKNOWN LOCATION, SPAIN (FILE - APRIL 3, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BIELSA AT BILBAO TRAINING LILLE, FRANCE (FILE - MAY 27, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PIERRE MAUROY STADIUM
- Embargoed: 6th June 2017 16:40
- Keywords: Gerard Lopez football news conference Marc Ingla OSC Lille manager Marcelo Bielsa
- Location: CAMPHIN-EN-PEVELE & LILLE, FRANCE / SANTIAGO, CHILE / UNKOWN LOCATION, PORTUGAL / UNKNOWN LOCATION, SPAIN
- City: CAMPHIN-EN-PEVELE & LILLE, FRANCE / SANTIAGO, CHILE / UNKOWN LOCATION, PORTUGAL / UNKNOWN LOCATION, SPAIN
- Country: France
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0026I29ANZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Marcelo Bielsa will return to Ligue 1 next season to take charge of Lille two years after unexpectedly leaving Olympique de Marseille.
He said he expects to stay in Lille OSC for two years - which would see him commit longer than his previous stints.
The former Argentina coach, nicknamed "El Loco" (the Crazy One) quit Marseille after just one league game in the 2015-16 season, citing conflict with the club's management.
Bielsa, 61, also left Italy's Lazio abruptly last year only two days after being appointed.
The Argentine did not disclose which players he was targeting to recruit, saying his ideal were footballers who are not only technically gifted but also possessed "a great force of character".
Known for his offensive style, Bielsa said he expected Lille OSC to be taking the lead, and to "spend as much time as possible on the attack."
Lille ended the season in 11th on Saturday (May 20) with a 3-0 win at home to Nantes.
Gerard Lopez, who replaced Michel Seydoux as Lille owner earlier this year after buying 95 per cent of the club's shares, said acquiring Bielsa was a "coup" and they expected to build a team that will deliver results and give audience a good show. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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