Chilean great Marcelo Salas has scoffed at criticism of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.

The Whites have had a mixed start to the season but did record their first win in a 1-0 success over Watford at Elland Road on Saturday.

Salas, who played under Bielsa in the Chile national team, has praised the 66-year-old and had stern words for anyone that wants to put a negative tone on him.

"The tactical part that he gave to this generation was fundamental to achieve what was achieved because, in the end, he ordered you," he told Tribuna Andes magazine.

"Beyond changing your head, which everyone likes to talk about changing your mentality, what Bielsa did is that he gave you order on the pitch.

"He gave you weapons because to all the good things we are, he gave the other part, the physical part, to play and attack without fear.

"In other words, when they say that Bielsa left nothing, it's because you didn't have him or you're out of your mind.

"For me (Bielsa) is one of the best coaches I had. I came from Europe, from being with Lippi and an hour of tactics, from Eriksson, another hour of tactics, with the movement here and there.

"So for me, it wasn't something new, but if you have to evaluate a coach by his work, he was one of the best. He left me a lot, I learned a lot."