Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is an inspiration, the manager I admire most - Pep Guardiola

The Manchester City manager has often spoken of how he has regarded the veteran Argentinian coach as an inspiration throughout his career.

The pair meet for the first time in England today as Guardiola takes his City side to Bielsa’s Leeds, who are back in the Premier League this season after a 16-year absence.

“He is probably the person I admire the most in world football – as a manager and as a person,” said Guardiola.

“I think he is the most authentic manager all the time, in terms of how he conducts his teams, he is unique. Nobody can imitate him, it’s impossible, especially his behaviour as a person off the pitch.

“When I get the pleasure to spend time with him, it’s always inspirational for me. The value of the manager does not depend on how many titles or prizes you won. It is about his knowledge as a manager.

“My teams won more titles than him, but in terms of knowledge of the game and many things in training sessions, I am still a way from him.”

Bielsa won league titles in Argentina before going on to manage his national team and Chile. He also took charge of clubs in Spain and France before guiding Leeds to their long-awaited promotion. Guardiola said: “It is a good present, a good gift, to have him here in the Premier League because his teams are always a joy to watch.

City’s start has been a mixed affair with a solid victory at Wolves followed by a shock 5-2 hammering by Leicester last week.

Guardiola is not expecting things to get easier this weekend.

He said: “They are a team that knows exactly what they have to do. They fight and run. They’re a good team, like all the Marcelo teams.”

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James Mitchinson