‘It’s a scandal’: Andre Villas-Boas disappointed at Marcelo Bielsa award nomination

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Marcelo Bielsa was recently nominated for The Best FIFA Coach of the Year award. The Leeds United manager was nominated alongside Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Zinedine Zidane and Julen Lopetegui of Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Sevilla respectively. 

It was an inclusion that has caused quite a stir, with many wondering why Bielsa has been nominated for the award for winning the Championship, a second-tier league. 

One man who took particular exception was Andre Villas-Boas. 

The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss criticised the decision suggesting that his Ligue 1 rival Thomas Tuchel of Paris Saint-Germain was more deserving. 

“Bielsa should win an award like this in his career, for the way he plays, everyone recognizes that, but among the five best coaches of 2020? For winning the Championship?,” the Marseille boss told the press, as reported by MARCA.

“It’s a scandal. Tuchel has won four titles and is a Champions League finalist.”

Of course, nobody is doubting the abilities of Bielsa as a coach or indeed that he may one day deserve special recognition for the influence he has had on the game. 

However, compared to continental and top-tier efforts of several other coaches across the world it does seem odd that Bielsa was nominated for simply taking Leeds back to the top-flight. 

Leeds United fans are undoubtedly proud that their enigmatic boss has been given this recognition, but none would surely suggest he deserves it considering his comparative achievements in 2020.