Marcelo Bielsa admits he should speak English - but claims he doesn’t have time to learn it.
Bielsa knows he should speak English to his Leeds players because they would be able to understand him better.
His former protege and fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino learnt English, having arrived at Southampton in 2013 knowing very little, and virtually every other foreign manager can speak it.
Yet 16 months after taking over at Elland Road, the workaholic Bielsa says he cannot find time in his 24/7 schedule to learn.
“Always, I feel I should talk English,” admitted Bielsa, who did not get to grips with French when he managed Marseille and Lille. “Even if I understood a little English and could transmit ideas.
“But I can never find the time to learn it a little bit more. When you work in one country, which is not your own country, you are obliged to speak the language of the country.
“I should speak English. I should speak English because this is an obligation because this country gave me a job.
“It is the same if you work in France, Germany or the Czech Republic.
“But if you talk about communication, for me, it’s not a problem. For managers, if they speak less it’s better. If they are brief when they communicate, much better.”
Despite his lack of English, Bielsa can make himself understood by his players and they are second in the Championship ahead of today’s testing trip to Millwall.
Leeds have an awful record at the New Den, having lost eight and drawn one of their last 10 visits, but Bielsa insists they are not intimidated by the atmosphere there.
“In every stadium you have a different atmosphere, but this will not decide whether you win or lose a match,” he said.
