Marcelo Bielsa admits he should be able to speak English to his Leeds players by now.
Bielsa still communicates with his Leeds squad through an interpreter despite being at Elland Road for nearly three years.
The Argentinian never learnt French at Marseille or Lille and admits his inability to be fluent in English is a weakness on his part.
“One of my big deficits during my time in English football is not being able to communicate in the language everyone speaks,” said the Leeds boss.
“In one way, it debilitates me the fact I haven’t learnt how to speak English. I understand this completely.”
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Bielsa likes to give his players simple, clear messages and says he often struggles to do this in his native Spanish.
He tried to kid himself that this was a reason not to speak to his players in English, but knows it is a flimsy excuse.
“One of the big tools a coach has is to transmit his message through his words,” he said. “One of the things I have dedicated most time to as a coach, is to being able to communicate.
“If there is something I like to do, or that has taken me a long time, it is to think about the significance and the definition of words I use.
“To say in the most simple way, without losing richness, what I want to say.
“It’s difficult for me to speak in Spanish to express my ideas simply and briefly. So deciding not to attempt this in another language that isn’t mine was to say ‘if I can’t say it in Spanish how will I be able to say it in English?’.
“The first person who doesn’t believe this explanation is myself, but it is my reality.
“I owe an apology to those who have to listen to me that I haven’t learnt English.”
Bielsa also refused to be drawn on his future after chairman and owner Andrea Radrizzani claimed there was a “common will” between both sides to agree a new deal to keep him at Elland Road.
Bielsa’s current 12-month agreement expires at the end of the season and he repeated his position that he prefers to leave a decision on his future until then.
“Any reference to this subject, I prefer to make after the competition has finished,” he said.
“I appreciate the words of the owner and president with regards to me possibly carrying on and I agree with what he said about Leeds being above anyone.
“I feel the solidity of this organisation means they have the facility to make correct decisions.”
