The name of the historic former coach of FC Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, has been resonating strongly in the international sports scene recently. Why? Because the always enigmatic Catalan coach, 53 years old, has everyone on edge about whether he will continue as the manager of Manchester City. His contract with the 'citizen' team ends in 2025, and the question of his renewal is surrounded by uncertainty.
However, this time his presence in the headlines is due to a recent interview on the Italian show 'Che Tempo Che Fa', where he addressed various topics related to his beloved FC Barcelona. As coach of Barça, Pep Guardiola won a total of 14 titles (he is the coach with the most titles in the history of the Blaugrana team), leaving his mark in history with his revolutionary style of play that continues to be a fundamental influence for several clubs and national teams worldwide.
In the interview, the Santpedor native expressed the importance of the influence of a football genius in his career, such as Johan Cruyff. "I cannot imagine how my life and career would have been without Cruyff. He taught me a lot tactically, but above all he shaped me from a human standpoint. He was a genius, unique. He made me fall in love with football," he remarked.
Managing a star like Leo Messi
On the other hand, Guardiola had no reservations when discussing what it entails to coach a player of the caliber of Leo Messi. "You have to know him. For me, it's easy to say he's the best player of all time, but the stars aligned at that moment. The strongest? It might be a lack of respect towards Pelé and Maradona, but for me, yes," Pep began.
"I had never seen someone train like that, you can't imagine him maintaining this continuity for 15-20 years. When you see him up close, you think of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan: we were fortunate to be contemporaries of his. These figures are like 'The Great Beauty' by Sorrentino: it's a great title for that team," concluded the coach on the '10' of the 'Albiceleste'.
Guardiola doesn't want to face Barcelona in the Champions League
On his part, Pep Guardiola did not hesitate to reveal the club he does not want to face in the UEFA Champions League, mentioning once again his beloved FC Barcelona, whom he already faced in preseason and with whom he did not have the best meeting in terms of results. "Good question. Barcelona, perhaps. The affection I have for them destroys me. I was born in a nearby small town; meeting them is never easy," he commented.
Will Pep continue beyond 2025 with Manchester City?
Lastly, speaking beyond Barça, Guardiola did not hesitate to talk about what the future holds for him as a coach, once again leaving uncertainty in the air. "It is not true. I am the coach of Manchester City. I have not decided anything, anything can happen. So I do not know (...) We will see what my future will be. I still have to reflect and decide what I want to do. In Italy? If Baggio joins me as an assistant, maybe," he concluded.