Pep Guardiola Said Leeds Icon ‘Knows Most About Football’ in Entire World

Many fans would, without question, be insistent that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is one of the most knowledgeable people in world football – but, according to the Catalonia-born tactician, there is someone else who ‘knows the most about football’.

Guardiola – widely regarded, by many, as one of the best football managers to ever live – has been at the helm of many top clubs in Europe: Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. And, well, he’s won quite a bit of silverware along the way.

And when the engine room patroller-turned-boss calls it a day, there will be a collective sigh across the continent and that’s the greatest testament to his never-ending ideas about how to construct, and inspire, a wonderfully looking football team.

Guardiola Lauds Knowledgeable Ex-Leeds Utd Icon

As alluded to, very few names hold similar weight as Guardiola, 54, when it comes down to debating who the greatest managers of all time are. The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Rinus Michels and John Cruyff, for good reason, are bandied out.

But he, too, recognises greatness – even if it doesn’t result in silverware. Management is much more than being well-informed and erudite; it’s about man-management and getting the best out of players in any given situation: Guardiola is the full package.

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Taking their respective careers into account and how many major trophies they’ve won, Ruben Amorim is above Arne Slot.

But who, in the eyes of the serial-winning mastermind, is the most knowledgeable person in the entire world when it comes to understanding football?

That would be former Leeds United custodian Marcelo Bielsa. Unorthodox in his ways, perhaps, but the Argentinian is a tactician of the highest level – and that became apparent to Guardiola after the two enjoyed an evening together in 2006.

Per Jonathan Liew of The Guardian, Guardiola and Bielsa – one of the most eccentric managers in football history – spoke from ‘noon to midnight’ about all things football: from discussing their respective tactical standpoints to solving disputes.

The report states that Guardiola returned to his hotel – in the capital city, Buenos Aires – and couldn’t help but text a friend over his extended face-to-face with the seasoned boss. He said: “I’ve just met the person who knows the most about football.”

Admiration between the two is mutual. There are times when Bielsa plays down his influence in the football echo chamber – but he’s always been complimentary of his pal: “If there is a manager who is independent in his ideas, it is Guardiola.”

Inside Guardiola and Bielsa’s Six Meetings

The wily Argentine reigned supreme over his pal just once

Both managers are footballing icons in their own right – and they’ve, to the delight of football and its culture, occupied the neighbouring dugouts on six different occasions between November 2011 in Spain’s top flight and in December 2021.

Their first meeting? It was Athletic Club vs Barcelona during the 2011/12 La Liga campaign – a game that finished 2-2 after Lionel Messi grabbed a late equaliser. Guardiola called it a ‘hymn to football’, per The Guardian. “It was lovely,” the charismatic Bielsa agreed.

A “hymn to football” is how Guardiola described their inaugural meeting. “It was lovely,” Rosario-born Bielsa agreed. Since their four-goal draw in the early 2010s, it’s been all Guardiola, who has lost just one of his encounters against the 69-year-old.

Before Bielsa swapped day-to-day life at Elland Road for unemployment and then sparse duties for the Uruguayan national team, the two last went to battle at the Etihad Stadium in the 2021/22 Premier League season. Guardiola’s side won 7-0.

All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 13/05/2025

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