Leeds employee caught at Derby training ground before two sides met in Championship fixture
Thursday 17 January 2019 21:29, UK
Following Marcelo Bielsa's stunning admission he has had his staff watch all of Leeds' opponents' training sessions this season, Sky Sports News asked coaches throughout the UK for their thoughts on the 'spygate' controversy.
The general consensus from coaches in the Premier League, the Championship and the Scottish Premiership was that, by sending his staff to watch other teams' training sessions, Bielsa was not cheating, but has gone against an unwritten moral code.
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery, who was in charge of Valencia and Sevilla during Bielsa's time in Spain with Athletic Bilbao, reflected that sense when he said: "I think there are two things. One, is it legal or illegal? And two, is it fair play?"
Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard, managers of bitter Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers respectively, were united in their belief that Bielsa had not broken any rules.
Rodgers said: "I've seen the word cheating being used but I think it's a bit strong. Bielsa mentioned the culture of where he's from. It doesn't make it right but it's something that's probably gone on for a number of years."
Gerrard added: "We need to respect the integrity of the game. I'm certainly one who believes in fair play and respect.
"I think Leeds have overstepped the mark in this case. But in football it's natural that you are trying to get any advantage you can."
The only manager who saw fit to speak out against Bielsa's behaviour was Preston manager Alex Neil, who said: "What amazes me is he's just come out and said 'yeah, I've been doing it and I've been doing it for a while' and doesn't make any apologies, like he's going to continue doing it.
"What amazes me even more is the press lauding him for it, like they think it's great. I just think it's bizarre. I think it's a little bit underhand."
Neil chose to highlight the positive reaction by some in the media to Bielsa's admission of spying, as well as his press conference on Wednesday where he treated journalists to a detailed lecture on his tactical analysis of opponents.
Sky Sports News reporter Tim Thornton, who was in attendance, described it as a 'tactical masterclass', but it was not just the media who were willing to praise Bielsa.
Even when questioned about his admission of spying on opponents, Rodgers was happy to say: "Bielsa's an outstanding coach, someone I've admired for a long time," while Emery said: "He is very obsessive and professional in doing his work. I respect him a lot as one of the best coaches in the world."
As someone who is credited with influencing Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, it is not hard to understand why such successful coaches are willing to speak positively about Bielsa. Perhaps it is a case of English football having to adapt to his methods as much as him adapting to English football's methods.
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "Here at Kilmarnock we have two men and their dog that go and scout for us. We're very grateful to them for doing that. Everybody tries to scout the opposition, everybody tries to get a little march but if it crosses the boundaries, it is not correct."
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: "You got a tactical lesson from him? That's nice. I think people outside maybe don't know how managers are working."
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I don't know if it is typical of South America. Maybe some coaches do it. Not all of them do but he thinks it is a good way to work and I respect his opinion."
England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones: "20 years ago it was quite common. I haven't seen much of it of late because of the abundance of vision you can get on teams. You don't really need to do that but I am sure it still goes on now and then."
