Marcelo Bielsa screamed in frustration in his post-match interview after bringing down the Uruguayan icon at half-time in a disastrous World Cup exit. After drawing with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, Uruguay needed at least one point against Spain to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
A disastrous tournament for the South Americans worsened in the 42nd minute when Alex Baena’s weak shot went past the legendary goalkeeper, 40-year-old Fernando Muslera, who announced his retirement at Bielsa’s request before the tournament. Muslera may regret heeding the former Leeds United manager’s call after enduring the humiliation of being substituted during the interval.
Uruguay lost 1-0 and exited the competition with just two points, prompting Bielsa to replace captain Federico Valverde in the second half. After the final whistle, Bielsa was filmed venting his frustration and urging production staff to get on with their jobs as he waited for his post-match interview.
After a series of curt responses, he was asked if he had discussed the substitution with Muslera, to which he replied: “Nothing.”
He later insisted that the sending off was Muslera’s choice, saying: “Muslera decided to go off at half-time. The decision I took was not to undermine Muslera’s confidence, but rather to maintain it.”
ITV pundit Gary Neville described the decision as “brutal” and suggested Bielsa had “decided to give everything up when he leaves”. Coach Ange Postecoglou said it was clear there was a lack of unity within the Uruguayan national team.
Bielsa then accepted “responsibility for this disappointment” and said: “Obviously this performance doesn’t have to define me… If you ask me how my time[with the national team]will be remembered, it’s a tenure that left me with nothing.”
“I will leave nothing behind for Uruguayan football, because no matter what contribution I make to this country, where I have worked for three years, it will not take root unless results are achieved.”
This World Cup could mark the end of the 70-year-old’s storied managerial career. The Argentine player appeared irritated throughout the tournament and refused to take part in a pre-tournament photo shoot.
After his photo was taken, he looked gloomily at the floor and said, “I’m not a model.”
With Uruguay’s loss, Cape Verde went down in history as the smallest country to ever reach the World Cup finals after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. With three draws out of three group games, the Minnows finished second in Group H behind Spain.
