Marcelo Bielsa has signed a one-year contract extension at Athletic Bilbao, the club said Sunday, putting an end to the speculation linking him with the Chelsea job.
Last season, Bielsa led the Basque team to the finals of Spain’s Copa del Rey and the Europa League, where they knocked out Manchester United 5-3 on aggregate in the last 16.
The achievements prompted links with Chelsea, where caretaker coach Roberto di Matteo’s future is yet to be settled, despite him leading the London club to their first Champions League title.
“Athletic Club and coach Marcelo Bielsa have agreed to extend the contractual relationship that unites both parties until June 30, 2013,” Athletic said on its website.
Bielsa, 58, won acclaim for the attacking style of football his Chile team played at the 2010 World Cup, where they reached the second round before losing to Brazil.
