Bielsa reciprocates Guardiola praise

Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa has heaped praised on Barcelona counterpart Pep Guardiola ahead of their sides’ La Liga clash.

Guardiola said on Friday that he looked up to the Argentine and wanted to learn from him, however, the South American feels that the roles should be reversed.

“The teacher and the student are defined by achievements,” Biesla told reporters.

“Look at Guardiola’s work and mine and you will see who is the student and who is the teacher.

“No, I’m not the teacher, because the things that I have done in football are not comparable with what Guardiola has done.

“I think he’s a coach who has built a team which plays like no other in the last 25 years. And they not only play in a different manner, but in a better manner as well.

“Do I admire him? Of course. He was an emblematic player, and now an unforgettable part of a winning club, where he has built his team,” Bielsa concluded.

Guardiola has won two Champions League and three La Liga titles among several other trophies as Barcelona manager.