Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Joe Donnohue

Pep Guardiola leaves emotional exit tribute to Marcelo Bielsa in wake of Leeds United sacking

Marcelo Bielsa's sacking as Leeds United head coach yesterday sent shockwaves around the footballing world.

Widely regarded as an educational figure to several prominent coaches across various continents, Bielsa's influence has been immense.

His legacy at Leeds United will be revered, a coach who re-established the club as a Premier League power after 16 years in the second and third tiers of English football.

Tributes poured in yesterday from members of the Leeds United squad who thanked the 66-year-old for his work and dedication during the three-and-a-half year stint he enjoyed at Elland Road.

Fellow coaches have also begun to pay tribute to the man whom many credit as a guiding hand in their professional management careers.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued his tribute to the Argentine, stating: "I am so sorry for him.

"His legacy is there in Leeds’ city and the club and I am pretty sure with the players. Unfortunately as managers we are subject to results and lately they were not good. But in the four seasons, he was spectacular to watch and wish him all the best," he told reporters during a Manchester City press conference on Monday afternoon.

Guardiola has been a vocal supporter of Bielsa's for several years. Last season, he said: "He's a magical man. What he knows how to do is extremely difficult for me to try [to copy] and I've already given up, but I have genuine admiration for what he does."

Former Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty Images)

Guardiola's City side inflicted Bielsa's heaviest defeat as Leeds boss last December, with the Whites succumbing to a 7-0 scoreline at the Etihad Stadium.

However, Bielsa's legacy at Leeds includes a famous 2-1 victory at the same ground last April, courtesy of a late Stuart Dallas winner having seen his team go down to ten men during the first half.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.