Bielsa: 'Lazio broke promises'

By Football Italia staff

Marcelo Bielsa released a statement confirming why he refused to take over at Lazio, citing broken promises.

The Coach signed a contract several weeks ago and it was deposited with the Lega Serie A, yet Bielsa announced he was ‘resigning’ the role without even arriving in Rome.

Lazio said they intend to sue him for breach of contract, so this evening Bielsa released a statement of his own in Argentina.

The tactician gave Fox Sports in Argentina a copy of his email to Lazio director Igli Tare, dated July 7 2016.

“I wish to communicate that I have decided to leave the role of Coach at your club. The same decision has been made by my collaborators Pablo Quiroga, Diego Reyes, Gabriel Macaya and Rodolfo Diego Flores.

“We make this decision because, despite four weeks of work, we see none of the actions predicted in the plan of action expressly approved by the President Claudio Lotito.

“Taking into account that I had been promised four new signings by July 5 to take part in pre-season training and none arrived, despite that the club made public a contract that they knew full well was no longer viable without reinforcements.

“As things stand today, the situation is of great uncertainty. Considering that in three days the pre-season training is set to start at Auronzo, it is not possible to make any other decision.

“As I made very clear at the time, for my style of work I need time with players to train them properly.

“It is important to note I have no other alternative work offers. We will soon send the documentation confirming we leave this position. Only if made necessary will I clarify my position to the media.”

That last comment was aimed at reports Bielsa changed his mind to take over the Argentina job after the Olympics.

This evening Simone Inzaghi has been called in to negotiate a new one-year contract as Coach.

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