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Marcelo Bielsa is regarded as one of football’s most brilliant and influential tacticians — but what exactly led to him being called ‘El Loco’?

The Argentine coach has secured his place in football history as one of the sport’s most intriguing and original minds.

His Uruguay team is set to take on Spain tonight, hoping to keep their World Cup knockout stage hopes alive.

Yet for someone who often comes across as quiet and reserved, the question remains — why is Bielsa known as ‘El Loco’?

Bielsa recently captured global attention for his modest demeanour during a FIFA photoshoot, when he humbly kept his head lowered and politely refused to lift it for the camera.

However, there was once a time when the Uruguay boss literally chased supporters with a hand grenade, threatening to pull the pin after a group of ultras appeared at his home following a humiliating defeat.

This incident took place in 1992, when Bielsa was managing Newell’s Old Boys, shortly after the team suffered a crushing 6-0 loss.

When the angriest fans arrived at his door, Bielsa opened it holding a grenade. Once they realised he was serious, they fled — only for Bielsa to pursue them down the street in his pyjamas, reportedly shouting, “Do you still want to talk?”

Other stories behind the nickname ‘El Loco’, which translates to ‘The Crazy Man’, are equally striking. One tale recounts Bielsa telling a defender that he would willingly cut off his own finger if it meant securing victory for his team.

There are also accounts of Bielsa’s assistants locking him in the dressing room bathroom to contain his furious outbursts after losses — behaviour that became almost routine during his managerial career.

Former Uruguay international and football icon Luis Suárez shared his perspective on working with Bielsa in a recent interview. “His entire career has been like that,” Suárez told Mundo Deportivo. “You have to accept him as he is and get used to working with him that way.”

“Some agree with it, others don’t, but there’s a reason he’s called that,” the former Barcelona striker added.

In earlier years, Suárez had hinted that Bielsa’s rigid and intimidating approach might alienate Uruguay’s players. Speaking back in 2024, he admitted that Bielsa’s conduct “hurt to see” but refused to elaborate further, saying it was “for the good of the group.”

Yet when Bielsa’s methods succeed, they do so spectacularly. In 2023, Lionel Messi — widely considered the greatest player of all time — spoke highly of the coach. After Uruguay defeated both Argentina and Brazil in consecutive World Cup qualifiers, Messi admitted that Bielsa’s influence was evident, praising the intensity of La Celeste’s play as overwhelming for opponents.

But when Bielsa’s unorthodox approach fails, criticism often follows. With the 2026 World Cup expected to be his last in charge, his legacy may hinge on the team’s results in this tournament.

Uruguay have drawn both of their opening matches, despite being favourites in each. Now, as they prepare to face Spain in a must-win clash, the outcome could determine whether Bielsa is remembered in Uruguay as a genius — or simply as ‘El Loco.’