Pep Guardiola paid a radiant homage to Marcelo Bielsa after Leeds United protected promo to the Premier League as Championship winners– hailing the Argentine tactician as “unique” in world football.

Former Chile, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille boss Bielsa has protected hero status in the west Yorkshire city after ending Leeds’ 16- year exile from English football’s leading flight, a season on from suffering play- off distress versus Derby County.

Guardiola has long been a big admirer of Bielsa’s work and sought his counsel prior to starting into leading- level coaching.

The Manchester City manager is pleased his old good friend will join him in the Premier League for the 2020-21 campaign.

“He has done an exceptional job,” he informed a press conference ahead of City’s journey to Watford

” They were extraordinary last season and after that didn’t get promoted. They revealed a great deal of character to get promoted a year later on.

“We know how difficult it is to win the Championship and get to the Premier League, so congratulations.”

Although Bielsa’s CV is light in regards to significant honours– the last of 3 Primera Division titles won in his homeland featured Velez Sarsfield in 1998– Guardiola thinks the 64- year- old’s withstanding impact upon a generation of players and coaches counts for much more.

“I was not his player, so it is difficult to talk about him. But I know the reference from a hundred million players who were with him,” he stated.

” I was fortunate sufficient to have the chance to talk with him. Due to the fact that of the unique method he plays, he is distinct in world football. He is a genuinemanager No other manager worldwide plays the method he plays.

“He is an incredible person. He is so special. It is my personal opinion but it will be incredible for English football to have him in the Premier League next season.”

“It really makes me happy the fact that I was part of this process with this group of players” https://t.co/ml49hJp2jR

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 19, 2020

Guardiola’s spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City implies he has sufficient experience when it pertains to winning titles.

Nevertheless, he feels even these substantial heights are overshadowed by what Bielsa has developed throughout his profession.

“Winning titles helps to have a job next season but at the end of your life, what you remember is not the titles you have won, what you remember is the memories you have and whether the manager taught you a lot,” he stated.

” I had a bad night after the Toolbox game however the day after, it is forgotten. , if you win a title it is the exact same.. You have the night however the day after, it is forgotten.

“What we remember are the experiences and the memories, the players you have had, the managers you have had. Marcelo is at the top of the list. Absolutely at the top of the list.”

One manager not able to keep hold of his task was Nigel Pearson, who will not lead Watford versus City after being alleviated of his responsibilities on Sunday.

“Before the lockdown, what Nigel had done was incredible,” Guardiolaadded “The quantity of points and the results they got when they were at the bottom. After that, I do not understand what took place.

“I respect the decisions of the club, of course. I wish Nigel all the best, he’s an experienced manager in England and has done incredibly well in the past and this period at Watford.”

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