Mikel Arteta will go head to head with Marcelo Bielsa on Monday - and has expressed his deep admiration for his opposite number.
The Leeds head coach has earned a reputation as one of the best tacticians in world football, and this is what Arteta had to say about him:
on what is different about Marcelo Bielsa…
Just what he gets out of his team, how he makes them fight and challenge and run and compete, and never give up in any game or any circumstances. He generates that belief in the players, those demands and that is why, in my opinion, he is one of the most successful managers.
on every manager wanting to do that…
Yes, but to do that consistently every three days, at that level, is very different. And for me the best thing is that when you talk to players that had him as a coach, the words that they have for him are always positive. They were better players after [playing for him], better people, they understood the profession better.
on whether he expects Leeds to be in the Premier League next season…
I do, yes. The way they play, the manner they behave, I follow their coach for a long time and I know how tough it will be to play against them.
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