Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says the Premier League is blessed to have Marcelo Bielsa working in it this season, a man he considers the best person in football.

Guardiola, who travelled to South America to meet Bielsa for advice before becoming Barcelona manager, takes his City side to a Leeds team coached by the erstwhile Argentine this weekend.

“I think he is the most authentic manager all the time, in terms of how he conducts his teams, he is unique," the City boss said of his opposite number. "Nobody can imitate him, it’s impossible, especially his behaviour as a person off the pitch.

“When I get the pleasure to spend time with him, it’s always inspirational for me. The value of the manager does not depend on how many titles or prizes you won. It is about his knowledge as a manager.

“My teams won more titles than him, but in terms of knowledge of the game and many things in training sessions, I am still a way from him.

“He is probably the person I admire the most in world football – as a manager and as a person. It is a good present, a good gift, to have him here in the Premier League because his teams are always a joy to watch.

“They always want to attack and produce some good football for spectators. That is good news for England.”