Lazio's new manager resigned two days after taking the job

Marcelo Bielsa has one of the most apt nicknames in sports: “El Loco”

The Argentine manager is renowned for his manic, frenzied 3-4-3 (or 3-3-3-1) pressing system that led Chile to the knockout round at the 2010 World Cup. He became extraordinarily popular among Chilean fans. Naturally, a year later, he threatened to resign if a certain candidate was elected president of the Chilean FA and followed through on his promise.

Bielsa’s latest stunt, however, goes beyond merely “Loco.” Two days after being appointed manager at Italian Serie A club Lazio, and one day before officially beginning on the job, Bielsa resigned. He’s gone. Just like that.

Lazio, meanwhile, is reportedly considering legal action against Bielsa, who was reportedly unhappy with the club’s transfer policy. Lazio expressed its “astonishment” in a statement.

Seems out of the ordinary, right?

Wrong!

This is nothing new for Bielsa. He’s no stranger to unexpected departures.

He rage quit on French club Marseille after an opening day Ligue 1 loss in 2015, supposedly because of disagreements with management.

Back in 1998, he took the lead job at Spanish club Espanyol, only to leave 108 days later to take over the Argentine national team. He eventually won 2004 Olympic gold with Argentina and took his native country to the final of the 2004 Copa America.

So why might Bielsa be abruptly leaving a club job this time?

Well, in related news, Argentina is once again without a manager after Gerardo “Tata” Martino resigned following a defeat in the Copa America Centenario final. Draw your own conclusions.

The parallel is pretty stunning.