Everton sacked Frank Lampard at the start of 2023, with his side sitting second from bottom in the Premier League.
Before replacing Lampard with Sean Dyche, Everton actually tried to appoint former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa was still held in really high regard around the Premier League despite being sacked by Leeds a year prior.
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However, despite Toffees chiefs holding talks with the Argentinian in London, a deal wasn’t finalised due to a truly bizarre request made.
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Marcelo Bielsa wanted to manage Everton under-21s before taking first-team job
According to The Athletic, Bielsa offered to take charge of the under-21s as he wanted to take some time to analyse the club before moving up to the first team.
The now 70-year-old floated the idea of his backroom staff taking charge of the senior side before he became manager in the summer.
Understandably, Everton decided against that proposal and instead went for former Burnley boss Dyche, who steered the club away from relegation on the final day.
Everton’s game with Man City has been rescheduled for Monday 4th May – it will be the club’s seventh Monday game of the season!
How is this acceptable?!
Bielsa ended up joining the Uruguay national team a few months later and is still in post ahead of the World Cup.
His side held England to a score draw at Wembley Stadium last week, which was regarded as a really positive result.
Interestingly, during Bielsa’s last three years in charge of Uruguay, he has actually managed four games for the country’s under-23s side.
The Argentine won two and lost two of those clashes in the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.
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