Marcelo Bielsa quits Lazio job after just two days
Friday 8 July 2016 14:54, UK
Marcelo Bielsa has resigned as Lazio coach - just two days after he was appointed.
The Italian club has immediately threatened Bielsa with legal action. His shock decision has sparked speculation that he could be appointed as Argentina's new coach.
Bielsa only replaced Simone Inzaghi - who took temporary charge after Stefano Pioli was sacked in the second half of last season - on Wednesday. He was due to arrive in Rome with his staff on Saturday.
Lazio have asked Inzaghi to step into the breach once again as an interim measure, and he may be given the job full-time.
A Lazio statement read: "We note with amazement the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa in clear violation of the commitments and agreements signed last week and filed with the Italian Football Federation."
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Bielsa, nicknamed 'El Loco' - the Madman - called Lazio boss Claudio Lotito in the middle of the night to say he had decided not to come to Rome.
Sky Italia report that Bielsa told Lotito that he did not think they were going to back him in the transfer market.
Bielsa walked away from Spanish club Espanyol in similar circumstances in 1998. He was appointed on July 1, but left in September - to take the Argentina job.
Bielsa also quit Marseille after the first match of last season following a contract dispute with the club's owners.
Gerardo Martino resigned as Argentina coach on Tuesday and Bielsa was immediately touted as a possible successor, but Lazio then announced him as their new boss.
Bielsa had a six-year spell as Argentina boss between 1998-2004, guiding them to gold in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and to the final of the 2004 Copa America.
He went on to coach Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol and Marseille.
