Steven Gerrard has labelled Leeds United boss, Marcelo Bielsa, as ‘world-class’, as he told his Aston Villa press conference.
The Aston Villa boss added that Bielsa probably ‘won’t be appreciated’ until he leaves Leeds.
When the Argentine took over at Elland Raad, the club were sitting mid-table in England’s second tier.
It had been well over a decade since they had strutted their stuff in the Premier League, then Bielsa made sure all of that came to an end.
He didn’t spend crazy money but kept the majority of the players that were struggling under previous managers.
And fast forward today, he is still working his magic and he has a fan in Gerrard.
“How can you not be (a fan of Bielsa)? “ said Gerrard. “I’d love to get inside his mind and know a lot more.
“The Leeds players are living the dream to have the opportunity to play and compete in his style.
“Maybe that won’t be appreciated until he’s gone, but he’s certainly someone that all the coaches here have got immense respect for. To go and compete against him is certainly something I’m very much looking forward to.
“They take it to every opponent and they’ve got a world-class manager who’s done a phenomenal job from where he took over to where he’s got them to now.”
Villa will welcome Leeds to the Midlands on Wednesday evening in what is set to be a mouthwatering encounter.
When Gerrard left Rangers for Villa Park, one of the reasons was so he could test his tactical brain with the best of the best.
Bielsa is world-renowned and much appreciated by many top coaches across the world.
Leeds may well be hovering above the relegation zone, but how he has dealt with the club’s constant injuries, and maintained his style of play, is proof as to why he is highly thought of.
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