Graeme Jones says Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is in a ‘unique category’ of manager alongside Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp after the Argentine gave him a presentation of his innovative methods.
Before many in the English game had even heard of him, the South American gave a talk to the Belgium national side, of which Jones was assistant to head coach Roberto Martinez.
But since Bielsa arrived at Elland Road, his obsessive and creative approach to the game has been a source of much discussion.
The Hatters chief said: “I think Marcelo Bielsa is in a unique category because coaches worldwide study his method of work. There’s not many coaches who have got that level of interest and quality. Pep Guardiola’s maybe one of them. Jurgen Klopp now.
“But I was fortunate enough when I was assistant coach with the Belgian national team, Marcelo Bielsa, on his way to take the Lille job, he did a presentation for the Belgian FA in Brussells.
“He spoke in Spanish, it was translated in Dutch and French and I was the only Englishman in the audience, and he was showing videos of his work, so I’ve got an insight into what he does. I’ve got absolute respect for it.”
Luton host the Leeds tomorrow aiming to arrest a four-game losing run. United, by contrast, are on a five-game unbeaten streak and are one of the favourites for promotion this term, having missed out in the play-offs last season.
Asked if the Yorkshire outfit will be one of Town’s hardest games of the season, Jones said: “Possibly. I would expect that.
“Obviously, I’ve looked back on numerous games that they’ve played this season and they are a strong outfit, but so are we and we need to believe that. We need to look forward to it and we’ll be ready for the game.
“We’re fully aware of their capabilities, their style and their pattern of play, but we’ve got our own. We’ve got our own ambitions in the game, so I’m interested to see if we can execute our game plan and I’m looking forward to the game.”
