Full Name: Jose Marcelo Salas
Salas was 'South American Player of the Year' in 1997
Marcelo Salas Rumours and Transfers
14 08 2007
Chile's new coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted that to mixed feelings over the prospect of facing his native Argentina in his 1st competitive match in charge.
Chile are due to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 13 or October 14 when they kick off their campaign in the South American qualifying competition for the 2010 World Cup.
"In this profession, one always tries to immunise oneself against emotions," Bielsa informed reporters late Monday. "But of course, when this moment arrives, there will be a very strong ambivalence. On the one hand, there is the commitment which the profession demands, on the other the sense of belonging which establishes conditions that are definitive for any human being."
Bielsa, who coached Argentina from 1998 to 2004, replaces Nelson Acosta, who resigned after Chile's 6-1 Copa America quarter-final defeat to Brazil.
The famously introverted and enigmatic coach mentioned he would invite AS Roma midfielder David Pizarro and Universidad de Chile forward Marcelo Salas to reconsider their decisions to quit the national side.
Bielsa reaffirmed his commitment to attacking football, the same philosophy he followed when he was coach of Argentina.
"I have ideas which I am unlikely to abandon, because they are part of the way in which each coach interprets football," he said.
"I always feel more comfortable when the team of which I am coach manages to spend more time attacking than defending."
Bielsa's 1st game in charge will be a friendly against Switzerland in Vienna on September 7. Chile also face Austria 4 days later.
