Micah Richards has defended Marcelo Bielsa after criticism over his nomination for best men's coach of the year in FIFA's The Best awards.
The Leeds United boss was nominated for the award after leading the Whites to promotion from the Championship and some impressive early-season performances back in the Premier League.
He is nominated alongside Bundesliga and Champions League winner Hansi Flick of Bayern Munich, Europea League winner Julen Lopetegui of Sevilla and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane, both of whom won their respective national titles.
It led to criticism from some onlookers that Bielsa had not achieved as much as other nominees in the category.
Yet, having grown up in Leeds, Richards is well-aware of the impact Bielsa has had on the area thanks to his achievements.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Richards argued that Bielsa deserved his place on the shortlist having put Leeds back on the footballing map.
He said: "Many will wonder why Bielsa is in the running having ‘only’ won the Championship.
"For the people of Leeds, though, it doesn’t matter whether he comes first or fifth in that list. What he has given them is worth more than any accolade.
"The very fact he is being discussed in the same breath as the other managers shows, firstly, what reputation he carries and, secondly, that Leeds are back on the map.
"I live in Harrogate and spend a lot of time in Leeds and I know the depth of feeling towards him in the area. Leeds is a city known for football and the area has a team to be proud of once again.
"You cannot underestimate the importance of that during what has been a difficult year.
"I said before the start of the season Bielsa would keep them up. Everything I have seen since has justified my confidence. "
