Marcelo Bielsa remains one of football’s most distinctive and influential coaches, known as much for his touchline habits as for his tactical ideas. The former Leeds United boss, remembered in England for guiding the club back to the Premier League, left Elland Road in February 2022 after a dramatic and widely followed spell in charge. Since then, Bielsa has continued his international coaching career and is now preparing to lead Uruguay at the World Cup, marking the third time he will manage at the tournament after previous appointments with Argentina in 2002 and Chile in 2010.
Bielsa was appointed Uruguay manager in May 2023, becoming only the second foreign coach in the nation’s history. The 70-year-old successfully guided La Celeste through World Cup qualifying and has overseen a team built around a blend of experience, energy and attacking talent. Uruguay’s squad includes Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, two of the team’s most recognisable stars. The side is set to continue its preparations with a fixture against Saudi Arabia at Miami Stadium on Monday, June 16.
Beyond his record on the pitch, Bielsa is famous for his unusual sideline presence. Rather than using the dugout, he is often seen seated on a bucket near the touchline, a habit that became one of the most iconic images of his time in English football. The bucket, first noticed during his Leeds spell, became so closely associated with him that it even became a popular item in the club shop. Bielsa has said he prefers the position because it offers a better view of the game than the lower dugout areas, allowing him to stay close to the action without standing for the full match.
His use of the bucket was previously highlighted during his time at Marseille, where he sat on a cooler box before switching to the now-famous bucket. In response to questions about the unusual choice, Bielsa dismissed the attention, describing it simply as a comfortable seat. However, observers have suggested there may be more to the habit than meets the eye. In a BBC documentary, Guillem Balague said Bielsa’s walking routines and crouching on the bucket could also be linked to long-term back pain that has affected him since his playing days.
The bucket has also become a source of fascination for rival managers. Rotherham coach Paul Warne admitted he felt nervous when he first came up against Bielsa’s touchline style, saying the sight of the bucket was unusual and initially unsettling. He later joked that Bielsa’s seat looked more comfortable than the ice box he used.
As Uruguay prepares for its next challenge, Bielsa’s reputation for intensity, individuality and tactical discipline continues to define his career.
