Quality of Madness: A Life of Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa is one of football's greatest eccentrics and greatest enigmas, this is the first English biography of one of football's most contradictory characters. He has coached some of the greatest names in world football and has been cited as a mentor by Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, and Diego Simeone. The Quality of Madness is a comprehensive and compelling biography, tracing Bielsa's story from growing up as a member of one of Argentina's most remarkable families to his revival of Leeds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2020
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Marcelo Bielsa is a true football legend, and his story is one that will resonate with anyone who is drawn to the maverick thinkers of life. He has coached some of the greatest names in world football, including Gabriel Batistuta, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, and Ander Herrera. He has been cited as a mentor by some of the most successful coaches in the world, such as Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, and Diego Simeone. Despite his incredible success, Bielsa remains one of the greatest enigmas in world football. He is a fabulously innovative and obsessive coach who has transformed Leeds United, Marseille, and Athletic Bilbao. He also lasted two days at Lazio and led Argentina to their greatest footballing disaster.

The Quality of Madness is a comprehensive and compelling biography that traces Bielsa's story from growing up as a member of one of Argentina's most remarkable families to his revival of Leeds. The book features interviews from across South America, Europe, and Yorkshire, providing a deep insight into the man and his coaching philosophy.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bielsa's story is his ability to transform teams and players. He has a unique coaching style that is characterized by his attention to detail, his commitment to player development, and his willingness to take risks. He has a reputation for being a demanding coach, but his players always respect him for his passion and his willingness to push them to their limits.

Bielsa's coaching philosophy is based on his belief in the importance of possession, movement, and creativity. He emphasizes the need for his players to be comfortable on the ball and to be able to think quickly and decisively on the field. He also places a great emphasis on the mental and physical preparation of his players, and he has a reputation for being a demanding coach who expects his players to give 100% every day.

One of the most impressive achievements of Bielsa's career is his revival of Leeds United. The club had been struggling in the Premier League for several years before Bielsa arrived in 2018. He quickly turned the club around, and Leeds finished the 2018-19 season in second place, their highest position in the league in over 15 years. Bielsa's style of play was characterized by his high-pressing tactics, and his players were known for their intensity and their commitment to the team.

Bielsa's success at Leeds has led to him being widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world. He has been linked with several top clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, but he has remained committed to Leeds United, and he has continued to build on the success he has achieved at the club.

In conclusion, Marcelo Bielsa is a true football legend, and his story is one that will resonate with anyone who is drawn to the maverick thinkers of life. He has coached some of the greatest names in world football, and he has transformed Leeds United, Marseille, and Athletic Bilbao. His coaching philosophy is based on his belief in the importance of possession, movement, and creativity, and his players are known for their intensity and their commitment to the team. Bielsa's success at Leeds has led to him being widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world, and his story is one that will continue to inspire and captivate fans for years to come.

Weight: 696g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529416152