TODAY 2PM Bielsa a big fan of Rodgers

MARCELO BIELSA has paid tribute to Brendan Rodgers by claiming the Leicester boss is a better manager than he was at the same age. Bielsa, 66, has been an inspiration for Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel during a 40-year coaching career that began in Argentina and has taken him to Mexico, Chile, Spain, France, Italy and now Leeds.

But he says Rodgers, 48, is something special – despite having been coach of Argentina’s star-studded national team when he was the same age as the Northern Irishman.

Bielsa, whose side host the Foxes today, said: “I think Brendan Rodgers right now is better than I was at his age.

“When I was his age I had control of a lot less things than he does at a club – there were just three of us surrounding a whole team.

“Now you have the manager and, apart from the players, 25 other people to control in order to take them forward. From my point of view, Rodgers is one of the most revered coaches in this league. He manages to improve all his individual players and he doesn’t just have one tactical formation.

“He makes changes constantly. All of the different formations are very well thought of and very well oiled.”

Rodgers is highly regarded throughout the game and has been touted as a possible successor to Guardiola at Manchester City.

But while Leicester lifted the FA Cup last season, they have struggled for consistency this term.

Injury-hit Leeds moved out of the relegation zone with a victory at Norwich last week.

Crocks Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch will be missing today, while Jamie Shackleton and Junior Firpo are doubtful.