Playing for Bielsa has prepared me for return to City
LEEDS United loanee Jack Harrison believes that playing for two seasons under Marcelo Bielsa has perfectly prepared him to return to City and play for Pep Guardiola.
Promising winger Harrison has become an integral part of the side at Elland Road over the last two campaigns under Bielsa - after a failed stint Middlesbrough following his arrival at City from New York City FC.
After heartbreak in last year’s chase for promotion, Leeds finally looked certain to make their longawaited return to the Premier League before the coronavirus outbreak led to the suspension of football in England.
Harrison has contributed five goals and seven assists in 37 Championship appearances this term and has developed his game so much under the tutelage of ‘El Loco’ that he now believes he’s ready to return to the Etihad.
“I have a lot of admiration for both managers,” the 23-year-old told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“They both have a very good reputation around the world and I’ve been lucky enough to work with both of them, even though with Pep it was only for a short amount of time.”
Guardiola counts Bielsa as one of the key inspirations for his career after the pair spent 11 hours discussing the game in 2006 before he became a manager, with the Blues boss often labelling the Argentine as the best coach in the world.
“For the last two years working with Marcelo I’ve learnt a lot and developed different parts of my game and improved,” he said.
“Working with him has already prepared me for almost anything going forward.
“It’s an exciting opportunity if I was to go back to Man City and work again with Pep Guardiola.
“What I’ve learnt with Marcelo I can take anywhere and if it is back there, it’s another great opportunity for me.
“I’ve learnt a lot over the last two years and I can take it wherever it may take me.”