Lille sack Bielsa to end failed experiment

Lille have called time on Marcelo Bielsa's ill-fated spell in charge of the Ligue 1 club.

The 62-year-old former Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach, who is acclaimed by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Jorge Sampaoli as a coaching visionary, was appointed by Lille amid great fanfare this May.

A week later, the coach was summoned to a meeting with Lille officials for "an interview prior to a possible dismissal".

Bielsa's lawyer confirmed his client did not attend that meeting and the club finally confirmed his departure via a brief statement on their Twitter page on Friday.

"Having come to an end of proceedings against Marcelo Bielsa, LOSC announces that it has terminated the contract with the coach," the statement read.

Following Bielsa's initial suspension, Lille appointed a four-man "technical coaching unit" of Fernando Da Cruz, Joao Sacramento, Benoit Delaval and Franck Mantaux.

They have won two and lost two of four Ligue 1 games in charge, remaining in the relegation zone, and were knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue on penalties by Nice in midweek.