Having established himself as one of the greatest managers of the modern game over the past eight years, Pep Guardiola has now named the man he believes to be the best coach in the world.
The Manchester City boss, who has won six league titles, four domestic cup competitions and two Champions Leagues during his spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich has shunned contemporaries such as Jose Mourinho, Diego Simeone, Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte and instead chosen veteran Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa as the world's greatest manager.
Bielsa, who guided Athletic Club to the final of the 2012 Europa League, has remained unemployed since he left Lazio just two days after being appointed as manager in July of last year.
"Who the fuck nicked me fucking chair!?" Image: PA
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He has recently agreed to take over at Ligue Un strugglers Lille, beginning from next season, on a two yer deal, and the 61-year-old can expect to have the backing of the Manchester City boss, who has waxed lyrical about his coaching philosophies and styles in a recent interview.
"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.
Bielsa belts out instructions to a young Ander Herrera during his days in Bilbao. Image: PA
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"It is important for me to say this about Marcelo because it doesn't matter how many titles he had in his career. 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."
Guardiola is currently familiarising himself with a Ligue Un club, with his team set to take on Monaco in the Champions League round of 16, this week.
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(H/T Goal)
Topics: Marcelo Bielsa, Football, Pep Guardiola