Marcelo Bielsa back in England. El Loco, cult hero, dream-maker, player-whisperer, inspirational manager. Bielsa teams always worth watching. Flying visit, his Uruguay side playing England at Wembley on Friday. Wish Bielsa was back for good.
Tactical time-outs an increasing problem in football. A few PL clubs do it. Even England have done it. Caoimhin Kelleher may have genuinely been injured - he was able to play on - but Leeds United’s frustration at the disruption was understandable. They were building, had brought on subs and then the game paused.
Daniel Farke already raised concerns earlier this season. Gianluigi Donnarumma went down and Manchester City players went to touchline for instructions. Farke asked the fourth official if he was going to do something.
Officials’ hands are tied at the moment. Teams getting round rule for outfield players to go off for 30 seconds after treatment. Now goalkeepers used for tactical timeouts. IFAB has discussed a nominated outfield player going off for 30 seconds if a keeper has treatment. But concern that a keeper could genuinely have been injured. Possible solution is for players to be stopped from going to the touchline during stoppages or ordered to stay in the centre circle.
Be interesting to see whether World Cup refs clamp down. It’s seeking an advantage by breaking up opposition’s flow, by giving the manager an opportunity for instructions and also it’s time-wasting - and there’s enough of that spoiling games.