Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa offers heartfelt thanks to ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has paid tribute to the retiring Louis van Gaal in an interview with Yorkshire Evening Post.

The legendary world-renowned coach announced his total retirement from football this week and the Leeds boss has paid homage.

Van Gaal managed Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester United and Holland, becoming one of the masters of his trade.

Bielsa is enjoying a fine maiden campaign in England, with his Leeds team on the cusp of the automatic promotion places.

The ex-Marseille and Atletico Bilbao boss will hope to complete the job at Elland Road, before making them competitive in the Premier League.

The Argentine believes that although he never worked directly with or against van Gaal his methods are something you can’t help but take notice of.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I want to say thank you to van Gaal because he’s finished his career as a coach.

“With all the people who’ve learned from him by watching his work, my desire is only to say thank you for what I learned and for all the things he showed us.

“It doesn’t mean we actually learned these things. But we tried.”

Leeds tackle Millwall tomorrow looking to get back to winning ways following defeat to Sheffield United last time out.

TBR Verdict

It seems unknown that a Leeds United boss will come out and praise a man who was last in work at fierce rivals Manchester United.

That speaks volumes for Bielsa, however.

For all the stick he has received from rival supporters he has worked at some of Europe’s top clubs for a reason.

Bielsa has shown his undoubted class with these quotes and he was clearly a fan of the Dutchman’s work during his time in management.

The Leeds boss is a major asset to the football club and they can go a long way under his guidance.

Winning promotion is the first major hurdle for Bielsa to guide Leeds over.