Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks it's 'ridiculous' that Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach for 2020.
FIFA announced their five-man short-list for their manager of the year award on Wednesday and among the serial trophy winners in Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Zinedine Zidane and Julian Lopetegui was the surprise addition of Bielsa.
The Argentine has been recognised for his great work at Leeds, after he led the Whites back to the Premier League for the first time in 16-years by winning the Championship last season.
However, Agbonlahor believes there are other more deserving candidates who should have been given the nomination.
This isn't the first time the former Aston Villa strike has drawn the ire of Leeds fans with his comments on Bielsa, as he tweeted in October: "Leeds are a myth maybe all the pundits will get out of Bielsa's a***."
Now Agbonlahor has taken another dig by claiming he's 'lost for words' about Bielsa being ranked as one of the top five managers in the world.
"Listen, he’s done a great job at Leeds, getting them promoted and their good start to the season in the Premier league," he told TalkSport.
“But I do think it’s a bit ridiculous for him to be in that top five. I think there are so many great managers in world football out there who have done a better job than Bielsa.
“I’m quite shocked. Maybe Danny Mills has done the nominations? No, I’m not having it.
“Thomas Tuchel, the PSG manager, he isn’t even on the shortlist! No, he didn’t win the Champions League, but he got to the final and won the French title… but Bielsa is in front of him? I’m lost for words!”
Ally McCoist, who joined him on the radio, disagreed and believes it's great to Bielsa recognised for his work.
The Scot said: “I think it’s great!"
“I love watching his team, and the fact Leeds were out of the top-flight for so long, I think it’s brilliant they’re back in it, I really do.
“I think they’re a great club, I really enjoy watching them and I think it’s nice that he’s being recognised.”
“But top five, Ally?" Agbonlahor asked, to which McCoist replied: “Yeah, I was going to say... The competition, straight away, I think Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich will take some beating for the way they’ve handled the Champions League and the way they continue to rule domestically in Germany.
“Bielsa in the top five is certainly up for debate, but I’m pleased he has been recognised.”
