Ezgjan Alioski admits his three years working with Marcelo Bielsa have gone too quickly as he enters his final few days with Leeds.
Alioski is set to leave on a Bosman next month because he has not agreed terms on a new contract and Galatasaray are favourites to sign him.
Alioski, 29, is hugely grateful to Leeds for everything they have taught him since he arrived in July 2017 from Lugano and says they have changed him as a player and a person.
The North Macedonia star, who is looking forward to his nation’s first finals this summer at the Euros, is determined to enjoy his remaining time with Leeds and Bielsa.
“I always tell people, Leeds United changed my life,” he said. “As a football player, yes, but also as a person.
“I’m calmer, more experienced and more mature now and that’s thanks to what I’ve learned here.
“I can also say that about Bielsa as a coach after three years together.
“He’s changed my whole outlook on life and improved me so much as a player. I feel I’ve improved every day working with a coach like him and I’m so grateful.
“I know I need to enjoy it too because those three years have been so good, but they have gone so quickly.”
The other important coach in Alioski’s life is Macedonia boss Igor Angelovski, who has made history with the small Balkan nation.
Alioski says it is impossible to compare him with Bielsa because the Leeds head coach is unique.
“It’s tough to compare the two because they have their own philosophies and personalities and the job of coaching a national team is quite different to coaching a club,” he said.
“Plus, Bielsa is special. You cannot compare him to anyone else because he’s a one-off.
“What they have in common is that they both do their jobs very well.”
Alioski has played an important part in Leeds’ successful return to the top flight, making 33 Premier League appearances, and the Whites will achieve their best finish since 2002.
“The Premier League has been a great experience for us so far and I want to finish as high as possible because I really believe we’ve built a strong and very special team here,” he said.
