Bielsa needs to follow Howard’s way to success

HOWARD WILKINSON has more in common with Marcelo Bielsa than meets the eye.

It’s 30 years since Wilkinson took Leeds back into the old first division – and then, two years later, guided them to the title itself.

He is still the last English manager to win the championship.

Leeds are preparing to return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.

And Yorkshireman Wilkinson believes Bielsa has a much tougher task beating Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola than he did when Alex Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish and George Graham were in their pomp.

“I don’t know Bielsa and I’ve never met him,” said the former Elland Road chief, 76.

“But it’s clear from everything I’ve heard that he’s a man who is very comfortable in his own skin. He won’t change for anyone.

“He believes in his methods – and he gets his players to believe in them as well. The key for any successful manager is to have the respect and trust of their players.

“Can Leeds do what my team did in 1992? I don’t think so. But they can compete.”

Leeds were second bottom of the old second division when Wilkinson was persuaded to leave top-flight Sheffield Wednesday.

He signed Gordon Strachan from Manchester United, which proved a masterstroke.

And Wilkinson said: “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have leaders in your dressing room – and Gordon became ours and a big factor in us going from the second division to champions.

“Bielsa will need that kind of influence in his team next season. The problem is there aren’t too many players like that available.”