A couple of years ago, one Spanish-written graffiti went viral on social networks. It said, “Abrazame hasta que vuelva Bielsa”, which basically means, “Hug me until Bielsa returns”.It went to show how much some football fans adore Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentine tactician whose career has been anything but packed with trophies. However, the amount of praise towards him is not correlated with this at all, which caused a genuine phenomenon of the much-loved boss who’ll bring you passion, devotion, commitment and everything else except the accolades.Classy touch: Leeds fans buy an entire page in the newspaper to thank BielsaSo when Bielsa’s name appeared as one of the pivotal elements of the presidential elections at his former club Athletic Bilbao, more than a few recollected that charming graffiti.Bielsa was promised as the new Bilbao coach in case of Inaki Arechabaleta’s win. His counterpart and future president, Jon Uriarte, won the club’s presidential elections on Friday evening, which ensures the return of another worldwide-acknowledged manager Ernesto Valverde to Bilbao’s dugout.It was a match made in heaven, but it’s ended in tearsUriarte got 47.7 per cent of the vote, compared to 33.7 per cent for Arechabaleta, and 18.1 per cent for Ricardo Barkala.In two spells as Athletic coach, 2003-05 and 2013-17, Valverde oversaw 306 games, more than anyone in club history. He delivered European qualification in each of his last four seasons, including a spot in the Champions League for the 2014-15 season.🗳️ ELECCIONES 2022 I @izanathletic, liderada por Jon Uriarte, es la candidatura ganadora de los comicios para la Presidencia y Junta Directiva del Athletic Club. #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/HcgWfcRkPi— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) June 24, 2022 On the other hand, the 66-year-old Bielsa previously managed Athletic between 2011 and 2013.Bielsa has been out of work since he was sacked as the manager of Leeds United in February.SUN: 22.00: (3.10) BOTAFOGO (3.00) FLUMINENSE (2.55)
