Hervé Renard Questions Marcelo Bielsa’s Methods at Marseille
While Marcelo Bielsa has earned admiration from many within Olympique de Marseille — including club owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, who has reportedly asked him to continue next season — not all football figures are convinced by his tactical philosophy. Among the sceptics is Ivory Coast national team coach Hervé Renard.
In a candid interview with La Provence, Renard, known for his own tactical discipline and recent success with the Ivorian national team, offered a respectful but critical take on Bielsa’s distinctive approach.
“Marcelo Bielsa has much more experience than me, and I say this with humility,” Renard acknowledged. “But sincerely, I’m not a fan of his man-marking method. Tactically, I don’t find much to take away when I watch how the team is set up.”
Renard’s main criticism centres on Bielsa’s aggressive, high-energy defensive structure — particularly the strict man-marking system — which he believes can be physically and mentally draining for players over the course of a long season.
“This method demands so much energy,” Renard added. “It can wear the team down.”
Bielsa, who took charge of Marseille with his trademark intensity and tactical rigour, has certainly left his imprint on the club. His commitment to pressing football and player responsibility has revitalised aspects of the team’s play, even if consistency has been lacking at times. Though beloved by many supporters and hailed for his footballing principles, Bielsa’s methods — especially his reluctance to adapt — have also drawn criticism in elite football circles.
Renard, who led Ivory Coast to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title and previously managed Ligue 1 side Sochaux, favours a more balanced approach, focusing on tactical structure and squad management over Bielsa’s relentless pressing style.
As Marseille continues to weigh up the future of their charismatic coach, Renard’s words add another dimension to the ongoing debate: Can Bielsa’s philosophy succeed in the long run, or does it demand too much for too little reward?
For now, the decision rests with the club’s hierarchy — and perhaps with Bielsa himself.
