Jermaine Jenas has admitted that Marcelo Bielsa is a 'great coach' after previously blasting the Argentine, adding that the Premier League has missed Leeds United.
Bielsa oversaw an opening weekend win against Bristol City on Sunday to reestablish the Whites' credentials as title contenders, following their play-off near-miss last season.
Goals from Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison game United a winning start, as they look to recapture their best form from the previous campaign.
Footie5 ambassador Jenas previously attacked Bielsa's skills following the Spygate saga in January, when the 64-year-old was involved in covert surveillance on a Derby County training session.
"That's not how we do it in the English league," the former England man stated. "It makes you question Bielsa's abilities a little bit too."
Now however, the 36-year-old has somewhat changed his tune and acknowledged that his criticism of the Argentine was likely exacerbated by his friendship with then-Rams boss Frank Lampard.
"I think he is a great coach and I don't think anyone has disputed that," Jenas spoke to LeedsLive. "What he did last year didn't sit right with a lot of people.
"I remember the comments that I made on radio at the time and while they were made in the heat of the moment, I remember thinking in those really tight games in England it's not really known or accepted for people to spy on you training.
"It just didn't sit right with me and knowing Lamps as well and knowing how angry he was about the whole scenario, I think the statement I made was along the lines of having points deducted.
"But what I realised afterwards was 'you know what? It's not the players' fault.' because this manager has been doing it everywhere he's gone. It's a cultural thing and he thinks it's just normal.
"His players were taking instruction and going out onto the football pitch and doing exactly what they were told.
"The only reason I said that was because I wanted there to be something to hit Bielsa and make him think 'I can't afford to do that again.' If he's ever in that position where he's thinking about spying on someone again, something hits him and makes him think again.
"We've missed them in the Premier League. As teams go there aren't many teams other than Nottingham Forest that I'd like to see back."
Leeds face Forest this weekend in their first home game of the season, hosting Sabri Lamouchi's side at Elland Road on Saturday.
Jermaine is an ambassador for footie5 from thepools.com. footie5 is a weekly free-to-play football prediction game where you can win £25,000 just by predicting the scores of five matches from the English and Scottish leagues. Create leagues with family and friends and go for the jackpot. Download the app or play at www.footie5.com.
