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

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Picture: PA)Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Picture: PA)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Picture: PA)
Pep Guardiola claims he still has some way to go to match the stature of Marcelo Bielsa in the world game.

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

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Inspiration - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (Picture: PA)Inspiration - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (Picture: PA)
Inspiration - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (Picture: PA)

“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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.