Sir Alex Ferguson's message for Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa

FORMER Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the work of Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa and welcomed his Whites to the Premier Division.
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Record-breaking former Red Devils boss Ferguson took the time to congratulate United's head coach via a video message as part of the 2019-20 LMA Awards.

The Manager of the Year award is named after Ferguson and went to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder second and Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth third.

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Bielsa took fourth spot but the Argentinian was also named the Championship manager of the year following a stellar second season in charge which has ended with promotion to the Premier League as champions.

PAST BATTLES: Sir Alex Ferguson on the Elland Road sidelines as Manchester United take on Leeds United in the Premier League clash of September 2002. Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.PAST BATTLES: Sir Alex Ferguson on the Elland Road sidelines as Manchester United take on Leeds United in the Premier League clash of September 2002. Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.
PAST BATTLES: Sir Alex Ferguson on the Elland Road sidelines as Manchester United take on Leeds United in the Premier League clash of September 2002. Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.

It means that Leeds are finally heading back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence to renew rivalries with the likes of the Red Devils whom Ferguson steered to 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles.

"As everyone knows in the game, the Championship is very, very difficult," said Ferguson.

"Some great teams have been there for many, many years, like Nottingham Forest who won the European Cup twice, Sheffield Wednesday, teams like that, and Leeds United had been there for 16 years.

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“Marcelo you have done a fantastic job. Welcome to the Premier Division.”

Mark Robins (Coventry City), David Artell (Crewe Alexandra) and Gemma Davies (Aston Villa Women) were also announced as manager of the year in their respective divisions.

Emma Hayes MBE (Chelsea Women) won the Barclays Women's Super League award, which was announced earlier in July.

But the top award went to Klopp for steering Liverpool to their first ever Premier League title as the Reds became champions of England for the first time in 30 years.

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LMA chairman and former legendary Leeds United boss Howard Wilkinson said: “We are delighted to be recognising Jürgen’s achievements at the end of this extraordinary season.

"The trophy has been presented to a man with an excellent track record who quite rightfully takes his place amongst the iconic previous award winners.

"Jürgen has lived up to his reputation as an exceptional coach in the game and has created an outstanding team to secure Liverpool’s first top-flight triumph for 30 years.

“We also congratulate David Artell, Mark Robins and Marcelo Bielsa who were duly recognised as the Managers of the Year by their fellow managers in their respective Sky Bet EFL Leagues, and we are delighted to recognise Emma Hayes and Gemma Davies, worthy winners in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and The FA Women’s Championship respectively.”

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Thank you Laura Collins

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