Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been dubbed as 'more important than Mourinho' by former Inter Milan and Argentina striker Diego Milito, report Italian newspaper Calcio Mercato (via the YEP). 

Milito was handed his international debut by the Whites' boss and went on to make 25 appearances under him, scoring four times.

“I learned something from every manager I had," Milito said.

"I had great managers in Argentina and in Italy and Mourinho was definitely one of the best one.

"The more important, however, was Bielsa who gave me the chance to play with the national team and taught me many things, tactically and technically."

The now 39-year-old was one of Jose Mourinho's most important players during his time as Inter Milan manager, most famously scoring twice in the 2-0 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich in 2010.

He became a legend at the club after scoring 75 goals in 171 games over a five-year spell before moving back to his former youth team Racing Club where he eventually retired in 2016.

Bielsa has more than proven his worth to Leeds United over the opening 13 matches of the season with the Whites currently sat in fourth place in the Championship.

They have been battling at the top of the table all season and remain just two points behind current table-toppers Middlesbrough.

Ipswich Town are the visitors to Elland Road on Wednesday night as they look to get back to winning ways.

The verdict 

It is no surprise to see the praise that Bielsa gets.

Everyone seems to be fully aware of the huge influence he has had on modern football which makes the fact that he is Leeds United manager all the more remarkable.

As long as he is there, the Whites will have a great chance of winning promotion to the Premier League.