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Oliver Jones

Ex-Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips opens up on swapping Marcelo Bielsa for Pep Guardiola

Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has highlighted the difference between his former manager Marcelo Bielsa and his current boss Pep Guardiola.

Phillips, who was born and raised in Leeds and came up through the Whites youth academy, swapped Elland Road for the Etihad Stadium in the summer transfer window after 234 appearances for his boyhood club.

However, it's been a tough start to the season for the 26-year-old, whose injuries have kept him out of regular game time having only made three appearances in all competitions for the Citizens this season.

READ MORE: Kalvin Phillips' Erling Haaland admission that Leeds United fans will love

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's The Monday Night Club, Phillips was asked what the similarities and differences were between his former manager and his current one.

"I'd say the similarities they've got, they're both very, very demanding. Obviously, as everyone knows, Marcelo was a very demanding coach physically but also mentally as well with all the meetings we used to have.

"Pep doesn't like to overload you with meetings as much, but he's just as hard on the training pitch so I'd say they're very similar in that way.

"Difference-wise, I think Pep plays a much more different way to how we played under Bielsa at Leeds so I'd have to say the tactics and stuff, the way he sees the game.

"He's obviously very different to Bielsa in different ways... I think of a defensive aspect, we don't player man-to-man [under Pep], with Pep it's very positional based.

"I think just technically as a player, before I came to Manchester City I thought I was good. Then I came into training and I was 1,000 miles behind every player that was there.

"It was just me trying to learn the basics of everything, how to take the ball onto my left foot when it's coming from a different side, how to bring it onto my right foot and manipulate the ball in different ways.

"So yeah, I'd say my role in Pep's team is quite different, I have the ball a lot more than I would do if I was at Leeds but I've still got to be switched on defensively."

Rory Smith, the chief football correspondent for the New York Times, then asked Phillips, known for his interesting fashion choices, which manager is better dressed.

"To be honest, I've never seen Marcelo without a Leeds tracksuit on! I've never seen that man without a Leeds tracksuit on so I wouldn't be able to tell you outside of football.

"I can imagine obviously Pep is very well dressed with all the designer gear that he sports on the sidelines."

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