Marcelo Bielsa has been recognised throughout his career for the impact he has on players and managers, and has been once again, this time by Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The interim Red Devils head coach has been quoted by the Manchester Evening News discussing Bielsa’s impact on the career of Ander Herrera during his pre-Liverpool press conference.
The Spanish centre-mid worked under the Argentine while at Athletic Club, and came to the fore as an all-action playmaker in the Europa League alongside now-Bayern Munich ace Javi Martinez.
Together, they have gone on to taste success and be mainstays in their respective sides, and the words that Bielsa had a hand in that echoes what he has been able to achieve during his short time at Elland Road.
Working with Bielsa has seen 11 players aged 22 and under given outings in the Championship this season, and the likes of Jack Clarke have benefited like no other to earn the interest of every top Premier League side, according to The Sun.
When questioned about Herrera’s spirit in his United side, Solsjkaer couldn’t help but speak of the impact Bielsa had on the one-time FA Cup winner.
“He has so much passion, energy, and enthusiasm, he gives everyone around him that little spark. He’s a leader,” Solskjaer said. “I remember when he played against us with Bilbao, he comes through a good coach in Bielsa, and the rotation in his play, he can play sitting mid he can run so it’s about which one we decide for him this time.”
Herrera has also been full of praise for his former manager in the past, telling The Telegraph back in 2016: “As a manager he is attacking – he wants to win with the ball. Bielsa is also offensive but in a different way.
“Bielsa is maybe the most brilliant mind – the way he sees football, the way he studies the opponent. It doesn’t matter if it’s Barcelona or Getafe. He is the most different, the most original.”