Marcelo Bielsa has been heavily criticised by Frank Leboeuf and Christophe Dugarry — with the former Chelsea man suggesting his behaviour is a ‘bit autistic’.

The Argentine has led Leeds to a place in the top two in the Championship this season, although their form has stuttered in recent weeks. He has also been questioned over the Spygate controversy.

He is known for his idiosyncrasies. Bielsa rarely looks up when speaking to reporters and sits on an upturned blue bucket in the dugout throughout games. 

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa’s behaviour has been criticised on French radio

Frank Leboeuf (second left) and Christophe Dugarry (second right) slammed the manager

The 63-year-old previously took charge of Marseille in France, who both Leboeuf and Dugarry played for. 

And the 1998 World Cup winners were united in their criticism of Bielsa on their Team Duga show on Tuesday as they discussed an incident involving Steve Mandanda.

Frank Leboeuf told RMC Sport: ‘He’s somebody I don’t like. I don’t like his life philosophy. I don’t like how he manages a group and for me he’s shown nothing. 

‘To take the lift in the morning with your captain, to not say hello and to not even look at him, there’s a bit of a problem.’

Bielsa has been involved in controversial moments this season, such as the Spygate issue

Former Birmingham man Dugarry then jumped in and said: ‘It’s the way he treats people, journalists, it’s a bit autistic, isn’t it?’

Their co-host Jean-Louis Torres mentioned the praise that Bielsa had been lavished with by other managers. But Leboeuf said: ‘No, no, no, that’s not true, (Pep) Guardiola just said he spoke with him a bit’.

‘They were inspired by certain things,’ Dugarry added, ‘but he isn’t their mentor at all. He’s not their mentor at all. They were also inspired by Mourinho, by all the other managers.’

Bielsa’s reputation as ‘El Loco’ was then brought up, at which point Dugarry pointed out the lack of respect other managers have for Bielsa.

Dugarry said on Bielsa: ‘It’s the way he treats people, journalists, it’s a bit autistic, isn’t it?’

He continued: ‘But there’s dozens of them who mock him. Who’s he respected by? Because he’s crazy? Because he’s sat on a cooler? That’s why he’s respected. 

‘The number of people who mock him, thinking, “How can you play like this?” Who has he inspired?

‘Guardiola was inspired by Cruyff. He might have had discussions with Bielsa that got him thinking. He brought some analysis, a debate, that’s it. 

‘What’s impressive with Bielsa is that he can stand in front of managers for two hours and give his philosophy, but what has he brought to the game? Cruyff inspired football. What has he created in the game?’

They also suggested Bielsa had not inspired any one and is no manager’s mentor

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called referee Kevin Friend arrogant following his side’s disappointing draw at West Ham on Monday night, according to reports.

The 51-year-old Klopp was asked to provide written observations to the Football Association over his comments about the official on Tuesday.

Klopp approached Friend after the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium and branded him ‘arrogant,’ according to The Sun. 

Jurgen Klopp confronts referee Kevin Friend (right) after Liverpool’s draw at West Ham

‘Klopp was complaining about Kevin and accused him of inconsistencies in the second half,’ a source from the Premier League told the newspaper.

‘Kevin told him he had to go away and they can’t talk on the pitch.

‘Klopp then said “I can’t talk to you” and Friend repeated “Not now and not here”. Then Klopp called him “arrogant” and walked off.’

Liverpool players trudge back to the their positions after conceding an equaliser on Monday

Monday’s result reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just three points and rivals Manchester City can move above them with victory at Everton tonight (Wednesday).

Sadio Mane broke the deadlock at West Ham but replays showed it should have been cancelled out for offside in the build-up.

Michail Antonio equalised for West Ham minutes later but Klopp suggested Friend had found out about his assistant’s mistake at half-time and that the official’s decision-making thereafter may have been compromised as a result.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called referee Kevin Friend ‘arrogant’ following the clash

Klopp told Sky Sports: ‘We had good moments, coming through the channels and scored the goal, which I’ve now been told is offside. This explains a little bit the second half, because I think the referee knew at half-time.

‘He knew it for sure at half-time, and then you saw a lot of strange situations. They were not decisive but just rhythm-breakers. That obviously didn’t help us.

‘There were so many situations where it was 50-50 or 60-40… [he gave a] free-kick for the other team.’

His remarks attracted the attention of the FA, which has sought Klopp’s opinion on the matter.

Wayne Rooney has backed Mauricio Pochettino to take the Manchester United job — if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not get it.

Solskjaer has led United on an incredible run of form after taking over the job on a temporary basis following Jose Mourinho‘s sacking. They have not lost in 10 games and have only drawn one. 

The Norwegian is now the favourite for the job after taking 22 points in eight Premier League games. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the interim manager at Manchester United until the end of the season

Wayne Rooney heavily praised his former team-mate when he was asked about the job

Pochettino has been regularly discussed as the prime candidate for the role, although his Tottenham side did lose to United at Wembley last month.

Rooney, who currently plays for DC United in MLS, feels the Argentine is the best option if his former team-mate Solskjaer is not given a shot.

‘Ole Gunnar’s a fantastic person,’ Rooney said to CNN.

But he said that if United decide to go elsewhere, they should appoint Mauricio Pochettino

‘I think, the club will have a decision to make at the end of the season, and it’d be nice to see if Ole’s going to continue with this form, and get a shot at the job on a permanent basis.

‘But if not, if the club go to choose from somewhere else, then I think in my opinion Pochettino would be the right guy.’

Solskjaer, who played 364 times for the Old Trafford side, takes United to Fulham on Saturday.

They then take on Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League clash next week.