Pep Guardiola will change the mindset of English football, according to his father Valenti Guardiola. The Bayern Munich manager is set to take over from Manuel Pellegrini when he arrives at Manchester City in the summer, with his father opining that Guardiola will bring the same style of football that he played at Barcelona to the Etihad.
In an extensive look at Guardiola’s life, Valenti spoke to BBC Sport, saying “He has this attitude to football as an art form. Not just to win, but to win in a distinctive way that entertains the public. The style of football I see in England, I doubt he has that in mind I mean, the football is very different. For that reason, I think he will have to change the mindset of English football.”
With David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne amongst the Manchester City first XI, it will not be an unsual sight to see Manchester City weaving pretty patterns in a possession-dominating style next season.
The Catalan manager has won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and looks set to win a third, although he has not guided the Bavarians to a Champions League yet, but will be hoping to end his German sojourn on a high note. His father, however, is in no doubt about Guardiola’s state of mind, saying “I think he will be happy - he wouldn't be leaving if not. Right now in Germany, he is held in very high esteem.”
Guardiola at Barcelona
Valenti also spoke about Guardiola’s spell in charge of Barcelona, stating that it was a surprise when he was appointed to the top job at his hometown club, saying “It was something that we never thought would have happened. He came through the Barcelona youth teams and then the coaching system, so there were those who were familiar with how he worked, and so they said let's give him a go.”
“I don't think they regretted it because he became Barca's most successful manager. We were very happy for him, because we knew how much satisfaction it gave him, to have been able to have put Barca where he put them.”
After creating what many consider to be one of the best teams of all time, Guardiola quit the Barcelona hot seat after a 4 year spell. The manager’s obsessive nature has been well documented, and is often seen losing his temper on the touchline.
His father, however, offers a very different view of Guardiola of the pitch, saying “It hasn't gone to his head, he has stayed the same. It is on the pitch that he is transformed. There he doesn't have friends, he doesn't have anyone - he just wants to win. He wants the fans to enjoy his style of football.”
“As soon as the referee blows his final whistle, Josep is an unassuming and very likeable guy. In a word, he is humble.He went to New York [before starting the Bayern job] to disconnect a bit from the stress that came with being manager of Barcelona, and it was also for his children, so that they could learn English well.”
