Guardiola calls Bielsa "the most authentic manager of all time"
Marcelo Bielsa refuted talk of being Pep Guardiola's mentor before the Manchester City manager showered huge praise on his Leeds United counterpart.
Pep Guardiola described Marcelo Bielsa as "the most authentic manager all the time" and a "gift to the Premier League" ahead of Manchester City's trip to Elland Road this weekend. Guardiola has long since spoken of his huge admiration for the Leeds United manager, and on many occasion has said that the wily Argentine, in his opinion, is the best coach in the world.
Bielsa vs Guardiola in LaLiga
Bielsa dismissed talk of being a mentor for City manager Guardiola as the two prepare to pit their wits against each other in the English top flight for the first time on Saturday. Guardiola travelled to Argentina for an inspirational meeting with Bielsa back in 2006 and later came up against the 65-year-old when Barcelona and Athletic Club did battle in LaLiga.
There was huge praise from Guardiola for Bielsa on the eve of the showdown in West Yorkshire. The Spaniard told the media: "He's probably the person I've admired the most in world football. As a manager and as a person. I think he's the most authentic manager all the time, in terms of how he conducts his teams. He's unique. Nobody can imitate him, it's impossible, Especially his behaviour as a person on the pitch, related to the media. I was fortunate, I don't see him every week, but the pleasure to when I can spend time with him, it's so inspirational for me. My theory is the manager is not about the titles, because I feel far away from his knowledge. My teams won more titles than his, but in terms of knowledge of the game, I am away from him. It is a good present, a good gift to have him in the Premier League."
Bielsa finally guides Leeds back to the top flight
Leeds have won two of their opening three matches on their return to top tier after a 16-year absence and only a late Liverpool goal consigned them to a 4-3 defeat at Anfield. Guardiola knows what to expect from Bielsa's in-form side this weekend.
He said: "They do exactly what they have to do. They are a team, fight for each other, defend a lot around the box. They have good build-up. At the right moment, they arrive with a lot of players. I played three times against Marcelo at Bilbao, and every game was so difficult."