Socceroos’ dream coaching candidate Marcelo Bielsa parts ways with Ligue 1 club Lille

MARCELO Bielsa would be a dream candidate for the vacant Socceroos’ coaching job. Now, the door has opened for that to become a reality.

Marcelo Bielsa. / AFP PHOTO / DENIS CHARLET

LILLE has fired coach Marcelo Bielsa after suspending him last month following poor results.

The club said in a brief statement on Friday it has “terminated the contract” with the Argentine coach.

“Following the conclusion of proceedings against Marcelo Bielsa, Lille announce that he has broken the contract that tied him to us as coach,” the statement said.

After finishing 11th last season, Lille hired Bielsea with the lofty aim of qualifying for the Champions League.

Marcelo Bielsa. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS LO PRESTI

Lille also recruited more than a dozen new players, but the team struggled badly. Lille is in 18th place ahead of Saturday’s game at Dijon.

A four-man coaching team has been in provisional charge of Lille since Bielsa’s suspension.

Bielsa returned to France two years after abruptly quitting Marseille amid a contract dispute. Having said he would sign a new contract, he walked out after just one game in August 2015. One year later, the hot-tempered coach quit Italian club Lazio two days after signing in July 2016.

— AP

Originally published as Socceroos’ dream coaching candidate Marcelo Bielsa parts ways with Ligue 1 club Lille