Marcelo Bielsa has rejected the notion that his football philosophy has influenced Mauricio Poechttino and some of the greatest managers in world football.
The Leeds United coach is heralded by the football manager community as one of the greatest innovators of the modern era.
His man-for-man marking system has proven a revelation, both at Elland Road and in the Premier League.
His unique style has trumped some of the greatest minds in the game but Bielsa, typically humble, insists that he is not a leader.
"No, I sincerely don't," Bielsa told Sky Sports when asked if he believes he's influenced the minds of so many great coaches.
"There are a lot of coaches who it has been said follow my ideas but that is not the case.
"I give you the example of [Gerardo] Martino who has publicly said that he did not follow my ideas. He is a great coach in his own right but he does not follow my ideas.
"Another example is Eduardo Berizzo who is a very good coach, who I admire a lot, with his own ideas, but he also does not follow in my way of thinking.
"And another very clear case, one that is closer to home for you guys, is Mauricio Pochettino. He has clearly said that he does not follow my ideas. I want to make it clear that those who are said to follow my ideas, have clearly said that is not the case.
"This is what those who people have said are my followers have said themselves. You can see that within my followers - Martino, Berizzo and Pochettino - it is not the case."
Those in the media have constantly wrangled with Bielsa's reluctance to deviate from his philosophy, even at the cost of results against the best teams.
"No, [I coach] more or less the same things. I arrived at Leeds with my character and my personality pretty well established," Bielsa added.
"More than anything, I am interested in how I remember Leeds because I have spent some unforgettable years here."
