Pep Guardiola says nobody can imitate Marcelo Bielsa as Manchester City boss congratulates Leeds United

Leeds United ended 16 years of hurt this weekend as the Whites were promoted back to the Premier League.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes that nobody can imitate Marcelo Bielsa amid a heartfelt congratulations to the Leeds United head coach.

The Whites secured the Championship title this weekend and with it ended a 16-year absence from the Premier League.

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The achievement sparked wild celebrations across the city as Bielsa guided Leeds back to the top flight for the first time since the club's relegation in 2004.

Leeds United's Marcelo Bielsa instructs his side at Elland Road. (PA)Leeds United's Marcelo Bielsa instructs his side at Elland Road. (PA)
Leeds United's Marcelo Bielsa instructs his side at Elland Road. (PA)

Guardiola - who is a coaching disciple of the United boss - spoke of his admiration for his mentor after a historical achievement for the city.

"Congratulations not just to Marcelo Bielsa but all Leeds," Guardiola told the Manchester Evening News.

"It is a historic team, after 16 years they are coming back and it will be good to go to play in that stadium against them.

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"They have done an exceptional job, it was not easy mentally for the club after not being promoted last season.

"They did it one year later, which shows how consistent they are. Big congratulations."

The City boss also believes that no-one else in the world can coach a football team in the way that Bielsa can.

Guardiola took aim at the criticism over a lack of trophies that is often thrown at the Argentine, and instead believed his impact on the game has been far greater.

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He added: "I was not his player so it is difficult for me to talk about him, not being there, but I know the reference and influence for a thousand million players that did work with him.

"I was lucky to have the opportunity to talk with him, but for world football his ethics, his behaviour, the way his team plays, he is an authentic manager, his product is always incredible.

"Nobody can imitate him and that makes him special.

"I think honestly it is my personal opinion for English football it will be incredible for him to be in the Premier League this season and learn how his teams play.

"Titles help you to have more jobs, but at the end of your life when you remember it is not the titles you won, what you remember are the memories you had with the teams and players you worked with.

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"I have memories as a football player the managers would teach me, not the titles I won as a manager.

"You spend a bad night after a game but the day after it is forgotten and when you win a title it is the same.

"What you remember is the memories and the experiences you have as a player and Marcelo is at the top of the list for this.

"Knowledge as a manager does not depend on results, knowledge is knowledge.

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"Other people just results but the managers and players judge them through the knowledge the manager has and there are no doubts about Marcelo Bielsa and his knowledge through the comments and experience of the players."

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