Marcelo Bielsa’s days as coach of the Chile national team could be numbered following the election Thursday of Jorge Segovia as the president of the Chilean football association.
Bielsa said on Wednesday that he would resign if Segovia were elected. Bielsa supported Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the outgoing president and the man who hired him.
Bielsa, an Argentine, is popular among Chilean fans after leading the team to its first World Cup since 1998. Chile reached the second round in South Africa but were knocked out by Brazil.
Mayne-Nicholls said before the vote he would ask Bielsa to stay – even if he lost the election.
“Chile needs Marcelo and, in case I lose, I will talk with him about staying on the job,” Mayne-Nicholls said.