Dean Saunders has branded Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa ‘disrespectful’ and ‘out of order’ for ‘spying’ on his opponents’ training sessions.
The so-called ‘Spygate’ incident has been one of the most talked-about stories this week, after Bielsa admitted he sent a scout to watch Derby County train ahead of their Championship clash last Friday.
The Argentine coach has faced a huge backlash over his actions, with the EFL launching a ‘formal investigation’ into the incident.
But Bielsa surprised everyone by revealing on Wednesday that Leeds have watched ALL of their opponents’ training sessions this season.
In an impromptu press conference, Bielsa said he aimed to ‘make it easier for the EFL investigation’ by detailing the extent of his pre-match preparation – and revealing his staggeringly detailed analysis of every team in the Championship.
Bielsa has admitted to spying on opposing teams throughout his coaching career, saying he feels he isn’t doing his job properly if he doesn’t.
But former football manager and ex-Derby striker Saunders remains unimpressed by the veteran’s sneaky antics and says it goes against the ‘code of conduct’ in England.
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He also says Bielsa’s level of analysis is nothing new, and that all managers do the same – even those in non-league.
“Everybody does it – what he’s shown everyone yesterday, all managers do that,” Saunders said on Thursday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“Sam Allardyce will have five or six analysts doing all that for him, he’d sit down and they would condense it all and try to cover everything.
“Even non-league clubs go into that much detail.
“We don’t go to the training ground and watch training sessions, though. There’s a code of conduct.
“You can’t stand on the other side of a fence watching the opposition train, you cant really do that.
“It’s not illegal, but it’s not the done thing.
“It’s disrespectful. It’s bang out of order.
“He’s doing great, the manager. Bielsa is doing great at Leeds and the team is doing great.
“I just think this has spoiled it a bit.”