Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa has one of the strictest and most demanding training regimes in the professional game.
Throughout his career, he has clashed with those who have railed against his methods, but the results at Leeds United speak for themselves.
Taking a mid-table Championship outfit to relative security in the Premier League, largely with the same personnel, is a reflection of his training and tactics.
This season, Leeds have been the most aggressive side across Europe's top five leagues, applying an intensely regimented press whenever out of possession. No side in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga or Ligue 1 comes close to the Whites for their pressing intensity.
That has raised some concerns that Leeds will be unable to sustain similar effort levels over a 38-game Premier League season. Although, there is some credence to suggest they will, given they endured a 46-game campaign last year, topping the Championship table by ten points.
A season prior though, burnout - both physical and mental - was touted as a key reason for the Whites' end of season collapse.
LeedsLive have spoken to French football journalist and Olympique Marseille expert Mo Ali on Bielsa's season at the Stade Velodrome.
LeedsLive: Was there ever the notion of OM burning out during Bielsa's tenure amongst the French media and fans?
Mo Ali : "Yes, absolutely. The squad was very thin [in 2014/15], consisting of only 18 first-teamers, including several youth players who were promoted. After a rapid start to the 2014/15 season there was a distinct appearance of burnout from the end of January, even though Marsille had exited both cups at the first opportunity."
LL : Were pundits quick to judge Bielsa's less conventional methods and blame any loss of form on 'burnout'?
MA : "Yes, towards the chaotic April period where OM lost four in a row despite still challengng for the league at that point. Many had pointed towards a lack of investment in January in which [they] should've opted for cover. A few media personalities even implored [Bielsa] to perhaps change his focus and let up on his intensity."
LL : Did any players in particular struggle with wear-and-tear injuries under Bielsa at OM?
MA : "Not particularly. Other than some of the longer-term injuries, the players were remarkably fit and managed to keep the squad together. It was a fine balancing act considering the low number in the original squad."
LL : What are the lasting thoughts and memories of Bielsa at OM?
MA : "The vast majority of Marseille fans look back at Marcelo Bielsa's time with fond memories. It was a challenging season, but Marseille did not make a lot of new additions from the year before and the difference in the two teams was quite noticeable.
"A lethargic, young, indisciplined team were turned into what was arguably the most exciting team in Europe in the first half of the 2014/15 season. Better squad management by the board was required to give Bielsa the tools to achieve further goals.
"One thing that was not negotiable under the Argentine was 'effort'. Players were threatened with dismissal from the first-team training group if they were unable to give 100% each time. Many players from that era including Andre Ayew, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Dimitri Payet have paid tribute to Bielsa for resurrecting their careers and in the case of Benjamin Mendy hitting new heights.
"The end was just as chaotic as the beginning, but with Marseille lurching from crisis to crisis and insipid performances in the current day, many look back to this era with longing."
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