Pep Guardiola: I love Bielsa and I'm a Leeds fan now | OneFootball

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Lewis Ambrose·14 January 2019

Pep Guardiola: I love Bielsa and I'm a Leeds fan now

Article image:Pep Guardiola: I love Bielsa and I'm a Leeds fan now

Asked about his opinion on Marcelo Bielsa, Pep Guardiola has had nothing but good things to say on the Argentine coach.

Bielsa has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons over the course of the last week after Leeds United spent a spy to watch Championship rivals Derby County in training.


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Guardiola, though, gave a glowing reference.

“I love him as a human being,” the Manchester City boss said, according to Manchester Evening News. “He trained me when I was young in a incredible way, I feel his success like my success. I’m not involved in any way but I like the people I like doing well.

“I think he’s the best because always I try to listen to what the players say about their manager because it’s the real truth.”

Guardiola won the Premier League title last season but it’s clear he holds Bielsa in high regard. The two worked against each other in Spain during Guardiola’s time at Barcelona.

Now, Bielsa has Leeds sitting top of the Championship despite a relatively small squad and modest budget.

Article image:Pep Guardiola: I love Bielsa and I'm a Leeds fan now

Needless to say, his work has impressed the Manchester City boss, who admitted he wanted to see Leeds win promotion.

“For the guys in charge of the big clubs it’s easier than the other ones.

“We win because we are in the big clubs with the big players. But everyone who works with him is a better player and the teams are better. That’s why he is a special manager and special person.

“I’m a supporter of Leeds and hopefully next season they can be in the Premier League, it would be good for the Premier League.

“I admire him for being the Argentina manger and being at big clubs and having the humility to go in the Championship going to a historic team like Leeds [to try to] put them on top and back to the Premier League. I wish him all the best.”

One thing’s for sure: we would love to see Bielsa and Guardiola taking each other on in England’s top flight next season.