Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that he has gathered information on all sides he has face this season, as the Leeds spying row escalated.
Bielsa made the statements in relation to the EFL inquiry into the situation between the two clubs, at Leeds' training ground this afternoon.
Rumours had circulated that the resignation decision might be imminent, as the Argentine coach took a similar decision when in charge of Marseille:
He appeared to confirm that Leeds have carried out similar operations in relation to every opponent this season
“I’m going to make it easier for the Football League [...] I’ll assume my behaviour is from the extreme position. We’ve watched all the opponents before we played them. My goal is to make the investigation easier for them. “
He also appeared bullish as to the legality of what the club had put into motion:
“I do not want to compare my behaviour with previous behaviour concerning this subject. I’ve heard other behaviours affect fair play but I don’t want to defend myself by attacking others. What I’ve done is not illegal. It’s not specified or restrained.
“It’s about watching from a public space an activity in a private place which affects fair play. I’ve already said I’m the one responsible. The club is not responsible whatsoever. The person who did it followed my orders.”
Leeds spying row
Derby County's coach, Frank Lampard was critical of Bielsa's approach after the match with the Midlanders last Friday, which Leeds won 2-0 at Elland Road:
“I don’t think it’s right, I can’t see how anyone who plays sport thinks it right,” said Lampard. “I don’t see why you would do it if you did not think you were going to get a sporting advantage.
“Cheating is a big word, but if you talk about details and gaining an advantage, it’s not just a toe, it’s a hop, skip and jump as far as I’m concerned."
The former Chelsea midfielder continued:
“To find out an opposition manager has sent someone undercover to spy on our training session, I believe that is wrong.
"I’ve always admired [him] from afar - his innovative methods - I have got his book at home, but when I find something out like this, if this what he feels it takes, that is not for me.
“When you come in with tools, pliers and bolt-cutters to break into private property, to crawl on your hands and knees to spy on a training session, it goes beyond what is right I believe.
“We cannot open the door to this happening every week. I don’t think there is a specific rule that has been broken, I do not know what needs to be done, that’s not for me to decide.
"The guy has not committed a criminal offence, but it’s going to be ridiculous if this sort of thing goes on.
"If we're going to start talking about 'culturally, I did it somewhere else' - that doesn't work for me. If I'm lucky enough to do well and travel to another country, I'll find out what the etiquette is in that country and abide by that. It's disrupted our build-up to this game."
Subscribe to Off The Ball's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
