Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa describes Diego Maradona as 'an artist'
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has opened up on the fallout from the infamous Spygate saga ahead of the Whites‘ clash against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea this weekend.
Bielsa and Lampard have a bitter history stemming from their days managing in the Championship together.
The two came to blows over a controversial incident where Leeds officials were accused of spying on Derby County training while the two clubs were vying for promotion.
Lampard was furious over the incident, and spoke openly about his feelings over it.
Bielsa denied any wrongdoing, but he and Leeds were both fined.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa comments on Frank Lampard Spygate rivalry ahead of Chelsea clash (Image: GETTY)
Leeds and Derby were both denied promotion that season after Lampard’s Derby knocked out the Whites in the Playoffs.
But that summer, Lampard left Pride Park to take over from Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, and the pair haven’t come up against each other since.
Bielsa led Leeds to the Championship title last season in style, returning them to the Premier League after 16 years in the Football League.
And now, they are set to meet for the first time since the ‘Spygate’ scandal as Leeds travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
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And ahead of the game, Bielsa has attempted to downplay any suggestions of a rivalry with Lampard, and appeared reluctant to discuss the situation.
When asked about it at his press conference this week, Bielsa said of his relationship with Lampard: “It's not bad. The relationship I have with him is similar to the ones I have with the rest of my colleagues.”
When pressed on the ‘Spygate’ scandal, he said: “It was already resolved by the authorities how these actions need to be punished.
“They were analysed by people who needed to analyse them.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa comments on Frank Lampard Spygate rivalry ahead of Chelsea clash (Image: GETTY)