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Brentford boss Thomas Frank thinks Marcelo Bielsa may have crossed the line in the wake of 'spygate' - but admits to being a huge fan of the Leeds United manager.

Bielsa this week admitted he's had staff spy on every single team his side have faced this season, including the Bees, after one was caught peeking at a Derby County training session ahead of last week's Championship clash between the two sides.

The Argentine has defended his methods, which would also have been employed in the run up to Brentford's 1-1 draw at Elland Road back in October, but Frank thinks Biesla may have overstepped the mark with his data gathering.

“I think of course it is about the etiquette. I think it’s about showing the right respect in general, that’s the first thing, you always have to define where that line is.

“Second thing, I think we do everything we can to get information about the opposition’s teams," he told Football.London.

“We use you journalists, you say about a particular line-up, where do you do that from? It’s because you have figured something out or you have spoken to a good source that maybe knows it.

“We use that, is that okay? I agree maybe that he has crossed a line he shouldn’t, but it’s a battle out there where you try to get the best information on your opponent.

“He is one of the big Godfathers of football - he is unbelievable. I’ve taken part of the pressing game from him, I’ve studied him a lot and I am a big admirer of his way of doing things.”

"I am a big admirer of him for many aspects but when you are one of the best coaches in the world and you inspire some of the best coaches then there is a thin line between being a genius and being something else."