Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is among the most successful of all time, but when it comes to his knowledge of the game, he says he falls a long way short of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
While the Argentinean has not enjoyed anything like the success of City’s Spanish boss, Guardiola said Friday that Bielsa, whose side host City in the Premier League Saturday, is the person he admires most in world football.
Bielsa has changed the culture and playing style at Leeds and brought them back to the top flight after a 16-year absence having won the second-tier Championship last season.
Guardiola admitted that Johan Cruyff was his most influential mentor, having worked for four years with the Barcelona great, but he is one of many coaches who say they have been inspired by Bielsa.
Leeds had a baptism of fire in a 4-3 loss against champion Liverpool in their opening game but have since won twice with an exciting brand of attacking football to move up to seventh, three points ahead of City who have a game in hand.
Guardiola confirmed injured striker Gabriel Jesus would not be ready until after the international break while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was back in training after testing positive for Covid-19 last month.