Marcelo Bielsa has resigned as Lazio's coach just two days after being appointed by the club, it was anounced on Friday.
The Biancoceleste confirmed on Wednesday that the ex-Chile coach was due to take up the reins, releasing an official statement of his appointment.
However, in a sensational turn and after days of reports he was having doubts over a move to the Italian capital, it emerged Bielsa walked away from the job.
Lazio had confirmed the 60-year-old and his staff would be in Rome on Saturday to lead pre-season training but his arrival at Formello, Lazio's training ground, kept being postponed.
Comunicato 08.07.2016 https://t.co/1c7Y22LcHy
— SS Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) July 8, 2016
Ex-striker, Primavera coach and last term's interim boss Simone Inzaghi is set to temporarily re-assume the role of head coach in the dugout as the outfit weigh up their next options amidst the chaos.
"We acknowledge with astonishment the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa, inclusive of his collaborators, in blatant violation of the deal agreed via the contracts signed last week and lawfully deposited with the Lega and the FIGC, according to all the related procedures,” a club statement read.
“The club reserves the right to take all actions that will protect its rights, and hands the leadership of the team during the preparatory training to Simone Inzaghi.”
Early speculation has suggested Gerardo Martino's decision to step down as Argentina coach may have prompted countryman Bielsa, who previously coached the national team from 1998 to 2004, to reconsider his next move.
Reports state that Lazio will take legal action against Bielsa.
- Goal