Pep Guardiola Can Change English Football

 

New Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is one of the few people who can change English football according to former Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez. Guardiola took over at City earlier this summer, the Catalan had previously spent three seasons in charge at Bayern Munich, during which time he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles, and four campaigns at the helm of his boyhood club Barca. It was during his four seasons managing at the Nou Camp that Guardiola first made his name as a coach, with the 45years old guiding the La Liga club to three titles and two Champions Leagues in that time.

However, Guardiola's move to coach in the Premier League is expected to represent the greatest test of his nine-year managerial career, although it is one his former skipper Xavi believes he will pass with flying colours.

He said “Joan Vila, who was my mentor at La Masia, told me: 'Boy, soak up everything you can from Pep, his first touch, how he turns his head before receiving the ball, when he is under pressure, when he has space, his changes of rhythm, how he uses both feet to control the ball.” Guardiola began his coaching career with Barcelona B in the summer of 2007, before taking over the first team the following year and it was there that Guardiola first made his impact on the likes of Xavi and Co.

Xavi added “The first thing I remember him saying as a coach was that he would not tolerate any player not working hard. 'This is the only thing that I require, that you work hard for the group.' This was a surprise for us. The high pressing was brilliant. It was a real football revolution, a modern kind of football. Within a few years, no one played long balls anymore, even Real Madrid changed their style. Pep's first year started this football revolution. We made history. Not just for the victories, but also for the way we played. He changed world football. He did not just change Barca, he changed world football. I think he is one of the few people who can change English football.”