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Football London
Football London
Sport
Andy Ha

Mauricio Pochettino agrees with Pep Guardiola about Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United win promotion

Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino have both previously hailed Marcelo Bielsa as the best coach in the world.

Under Bielsa, Leeds United have won automatic promotion to the Premier League after second placed West Brom were beaten 2-1 by Huddersfield on Friday night.

The veteran coach is often cited as an inspiration to a number of managers around the world - including the likes of former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Pochettino.

The ex-Spurs boss voiced his admiration for Bielsa in the past, and praised the influence that the Leeds manager has had on his coaching career.

Bielsa was previously linked with a move to Swansea when Pochettino was still at Southampton, and the Argentine said he hoped to see the 64-year-old manage in the top flight one day.

"It’s a pleasure for me if he comes [to the Premier League] because he is one of the best managers in the world," Pochettino said.

"He is like my father in both ways because he’s 60 years old [at the time] so he can be my father and he is also like my football father.

"I know him since I was 14 at Newell’s Old Boys and it’s a great opportunity for him, but I don’t know if it’s true or not because I haven’t been in contact with him for a few months."

Manchester City boss Guardiola was in agreement, and speaking before Bielsa was appointed at his ill-fated spell at Ligue 1 club Lille, the Spaniard said: "My admiration for Marcelo Bielsa is huge because he makes the players much, much better.

"Still, I didn't meet one guy, a former player from Marcelo Biesla who speaks no good about him.

"They are grateful about his influence on their careers in football.

"He helped me a lot with his advice. Whenever I speak with him I always feel like he wants to help me.

"It is important for me to say this about Marcelo because it doesn't matter how many titles he had in his career," the Spaniard added.

"We are judged by that – how much success we have, how many titles we have won.

"But that is much less influential than how he has influenced football and his football players.

"That is why, for me, he is the best coach in the world. I am looking forward to seeing him in Lille next season.

"I am pretty sure his influence on their team, their club and their players will be huge – amazing. I am pretty sure of that."

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