Fans were left in awe as Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla claimed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola helped him win the National Basketball Association (NBA) title. The Celtics won their 18th Larry O'Brien trophy after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday, June 17, to win the best-of-seven Finals series 4-1.Mazzulla coached a team comprising superstars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis. In that sense, the Celtics were akin to Guardiola's City, who also have a galaxy of stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Ederson, and Ruben Dias.Speaking to reporters after his side's triumph, Mazzulla said (via CentreGoals. on X):"Dallas has one of the smartest defences. We had to be creative. Pep helped me in transitions and how to move the guys."Fans on X sang the former Barcelona boss' praises, claiming that his influence transcended the world of football. User @Yovssovph wrote:"Pep Guardiola is the greatest and most influential sports manager in the world. His influence transcends football."@Yemi_Mighty10, with a laughing emote, said:"They compared this man to Mourinho and Alex Ferguson."Here is a selection of fan reactions (via X):"Someone please don't let him learn basketball. That man win the NBA 45 times in a row," @AJSilverCFC exclaimed"Pep Guardiola is the S.I unit of coaching. The Master," @Cee_jayking wrote."If Pep leaves Man City and joins an NBA team. We might have to call Thanos," said @JemelOneFive."Pep winning on and off Football what a tactician," @ManLikeTT noted."Pep is the Messi of coaches," said @damola_ade77."This is getting out of hands. He needs to be stopped. Superbowl loading," @QsAbdulHakeem hilariously claimed."I’m sorry but Pep Guardiola is the Albert Einstein of football, he’s Him," @views09 analogized."Bro is done with football he is now doing side quests now," @90plus5FC wrote with a laughing emote.Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has long-standing respect and admiration for Manchester City coach Pep GuardiolaBoston Celtics' NBA championship-winning coach Joe Mazzulla has been outspoken in his praise for Manchester City tactician Pep Guardiola on multiple occasions.Speaking to The Athletic in February 2024, the 35-year-old said (via New York Times):"I study a lot of Man City. I study Pep a lot. I think he's the best coach at any level, in any sport. It’s had a huge influence [on me]."Mazzulla had also visited City's football academy in February. Speaking to Guardiola's squad, he said (via @GuardiolaTweets on X):"I watch a lot of build-ups with my team, a lot of transitions, the six-seven passes all the way to the cross and then the finish... The counter-attacks are essentially the whole game [basketball]... 3 o'clock, when we get to the arena, the [City] game's on. We have a rule, if Man City win, we usually win."