Ander Herrera: Bielsa the right man for Uruguay job

Ander Herrera claims there is “no better pairing” than Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay. The Argentine tactician is one of the most beloved coaches in the world.

Bielsa, a former manager of Argentina and Leeds, accepted the position of coach of Uruguay earlier this week.

The mysterious Argentine was fired by Leeds last year after being questioned by Everton but apparently declining the Premier League team.

Many Leeds supporters still view Bielsa as a legend, but he is now back in the international coaching spotlight after taking over for Uruguay, whose previous coach Diego Alonso quit after the team lost in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar.

Herrera, a former midfielder for Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain who is currently back with Athletic Bilbao, developed under Bielsa while the latter was in charge of the Basque nation between 2011 and 2013.

“He connects with this sentimental aspect that the Uruguayan footballer already has for his country and national team.

“I couldn’t find a better pairing than Uruguay and Marcelo for this moment of the Uruguayan national team.”

Herrera has high praise for former boss Bielsa

Herrera loved working under Bielsa, though knows not every player will feel the same.

“He has demonstrated that he is a great coach in clubs and national teams, but I think that is true that the intensity that Marcelo [Bielsa] has, not all the players in a club can absorb it, let’s say,” Herrera added.

“But in my case yes, I did it with pleasure, I live for football. but you have to understand and respect the ones that take this as a profession.

“So maybe for a national team he can be ideal.”

Bielsa is renowned for the degree of analysis he makes on both his own players and his opponents.

“He doesn’t do anything for nothing as we say. so if Marcelo has chosen Uruguay’s project he must have studied deeply,” Herrera explained.

“I am convinced that he must have watched the under-15 and the under-16 teams. all the players who could be selected and might be of help for the coming qualifying process for the next World Cup and Copa America.

“I think that with the character of Uruguayan footballers. it is a job that will fit like a hand in a glove for him.”