Gabby Agbonlahor has re-opened his feud with Leeds United by saying it’s ‘ridiculous’ Marcelo Bielsa is on the shortlist to be named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach for 2020.
The former Aston Villa captain irked the Elland Road faithful earlier this season when he branded their beloved boss ‘a myth’ and also urged pundits to ‘get out of Marcelo Bielsa’s a***’.
Leeds responded to those jibes by beating Agbonlahor’s former club 3-0 in the Premier League, but the former attacker recently aimed another dig at the Whites and their boss after their impressive start to the season was sullied by successive 4-1 defeats.
Getty Images - Getty
But it’s the Argentine’s work in guiding Leeds back to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 that has seen him nominated for the top gong, alongside the likes of Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane and Champions League-winning Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick.
Leeds battled back from their play-off disappointment from the previous year to storm to the Championship title last season, ending the club’s long wait for a return to the top-flight.
But Agbonlahor said he was ‘lost for words’ when he heard the news of Bielsa’s nomination on Wednesday morning, insisting there are plenty of other managers more deserving of the award.
He told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “Listen, he’s done a great job at Leeds, getting them promoted and their good start to the season in the Premier league.
“But I do think it’s a bit ridiculous for him to be in that top five.
“I think there are so many great managers in world football out there who have done a better job than Bielsa.
“I’m quite shocked. Maybe Danny Mills has done the nominations?
“No, I’m not having it.
“Thomas Tuchel, the PSG manager, he isn’t even on the shortlist! No, he didn’t win the Champions League, but he got to the final and won the French title… but Bielsa is in front of him?
“I’m lost for words!”
Co-host Ally McCoist didn’t agree, however, and said it’s great to see the experienced Argentine get deserved recognition for ending Leeds’ long exile from the English top-flight.
The Rangers legend responded: “I think it’s great!
“I love watching his team, and the fact Leeds were out of the top-flight for so long, I think it’s brilliant they’re back in it, I really do.
“I think they’re a great club, I really enjoy watching them and I think it’s nice that he’s being recognised.”
GETTY
Gabby then interjected: “But top five, Ally?!”
“Yeah, I was going to say…,” added the Scot.
“The competition, straight away, I think Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich will take some beating for the way they’ve handled the Champions League and the way they continue to rule domestically in Germany.
“Bielsa in the top five is certainly up for debate, but I’m pleased he has been recognised.”
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/2IYIUmU
via IFTTT
No Comment