- Title: Lille's newly-signed manager Bielsa favours an "attacking" side
- Date: 23rd May 2017
- Summary: CAMPHIN-EN-PEVELE, FRANCE (MAY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF (LEFT TO RIGHT) GENERAL DIRECTOR OF LILLE OSC, MARC INGLA, NEWLY-RECRUITED COACH MARCELO BIELSA, LILLE OSC PRESIDENT GERARD LOPEZ, AND SPORTING DIRECTOR LUIS CAMPOS STANDING FOR PHOTO IN GROUNDS OF LILLE OSC HEADQUARTERS BIELSA AND LILLE OSC TOP MANAGEMENT WALKING AWAY LOGO OF LILLE BIELSA WALKING INSIDE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS LISTENING NEWS CONFERENCE BEING FILMED ON SMART PHONE BIELSA DURING NEWS CONFERENCE AUDIENCE ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LILLE OSC COACH, MARCELO BIELSA, SAYING: "I really like .... put a lot of importance in a player's creative capacities. To put into practice technical abilities means that he must also have a character that does not get distracted. I'm conjuring up an overly ideal description: very richly technical players with great force of character, and intelligent at the same time. The problem then is to find this player." PANEL LISTENING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LILLE OSC COACH, MARCELO BIELSA, SAYING: "Taking the lead - trying to spend as much time as possible on the attack. And for this, good defence is necessary. Being in the opposition's camp and not in our half of the field, and to keep the ball as much as possible on the ground than in the air." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LILLE OSC COACH, MARCELO BIELSA, SAYING: "The first recommendation that I came here to Lille with - which was more an order from my wife than a recommendation (CUTS TO SHOT OF NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS) Was to smile when I look at people in the eye, something I am in the process of doing. Already, it's a significant contribution in terms of human interaction." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (French) LILLE OSC PRESIDENT, GERARD LOPEZ, SAYING: "Marcelo spoke before of responsibility. It's not only his, it's also ours. And we expect the team that we are trying to build to have results rather quickly. Now, whether these results will win the title, we will not know, this will play out in the field, against other teams, it does not only depend on us, it also depends on what others do. But it's true that the objective is in any case, starting in the coming weeks is to offer an interesting game of football and interesting results." BIELSA AND OTHERS STANDING AS NEWS CONFERENCE ENDS VARIOUS OF BIELSA AND LILLE OSC MANAGEMENT TEAM POSING FOR PHOTO BIELSA EMBRACING LOPEZ
- 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: LVA0016I29ANZ
- 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: REUTERS
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