Former Premier League manager Paul Jewell has exclusively told This Is Futbol that Marcelo Bielsa deserves to be in the running for Manager of the Year.
Bielsa is likely to be pipped by his former student Pep Guardiola, who’s Manchester City side require just three points from their four remaining matches to regain their Premier League crown.
But the Argentine has worked wonders at Elland Road, with the Yorkshire outfit already mathematically safe on their return to the topflight, and have a top-half finish in their sights.
Leeds are currently sitting 11th, although they’re just one point behind Aston Villa, and a further point behind Arsenal in ninth.
Bielsa has guided Leeds to some impressive victories over Everton and Leicester, although they produced arguably the standout Premier League result of the campaign when winning at Manchester City last month.
They’ve also managed to avoid defeat against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, and Jewell has heaped praise on the 65-year-old.
He told This Is Futbol:
“You can tell that the players play for him on the pitch, and you can see what they’re trying to do at Leeds. Guardiola and all that talk to him as if he’s the main man. They have got huge respect for him.
“It’s not about winning trophies, he would love to win a trophy. Manager of the year is normally the guy who wins the league, but he’s got to be right up there.”