Pep Guardiola is broadly considered one of many biggest soccer managers of all time.
Not solely has he gained an unprecedented variety of titles in Spain, Germany, and England, however the Spaniard has additionally revolutionised trendy soccer along with his distinct model of play that emphasises possession, fast passing and tactical fluidity. Guardiola’s affect has left an indelible mark on the game, shaping how the sport is performed at the moment.
Nonetheless, it’s not simply his teaching brilliance that has captivated the soccer world.
Like his former rival Jürgen Klopp and former coach José Mourinho, the previous Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss can be identified for his wit and sharp remarks, making him a relentless supply of leisure for followers.
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The Particular One has had a method with phrases through the years.
A few of his quotes are borne out of pure pleasure, whereas others stem from moments of frustration – however whatever the emotion behind them, they at all times handle to go away an enduring impression.
Listed here are a few of Pep Guardiola’s finest quotes.
1
“It rains day-after-day”
Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis had confronted a comparatively robust begin to the 2020/21 season, significantly struggling in entrance of aim.
Nonetheless, after a 4-1 demolition of Arsenal within the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in December 2020, Guardiola was understandably happy.
Regardless of the emphatic win, nonetheless, he wasn’t prepared to say his aspect had absolutely discovered their type. As an alternative, he in contrast their efficiency to the unpredictable climate in Manchester.
“It is like in Manchester. It rains day-after-day. When in the future the solar rises it doesn’t suggest the climate goes to vary,” he mentioned. “It is only one sport, however we are going to see what occurs sooner or later.”
After Manchester Metropolis gained the treble within the 2022/23 season, Guardiola as soon as once more referenced town’s unpredictable climate throughout his speech on the membership’s victory parade, over which the heavens had opened.
“We needed to be the most effective parade with this rain, in any other case it’s not Manchester,” he mentioned. “We don’t need sunshine, we wish rain, so it was good.”
2
“Like a jazz musician…”
Guardiola is famend for creating groups that function as a fluid unit, the place each participant contributes in defence and assault to type an unstoppable footballing pressure. Even the incomparable Lionel Messi, regardless of being given extra freedom than most, was not exempt from Guardiola’s team-based philosophy.
In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, Guardiola humorously summed up his perspective in direction of individualism in his groups with a hilarious quip about jazz music.
“In some components of the pitch, after all you need to be inventive and take the prospect,” he mentioned. “However I don’t prefer it when folks say: ‘I like freedom; I need to play for myself.’ As a result of the participant has to know he’s a part of a workforce, with 10 different gamers. If each participant performs like a jazz musician, it will likely be chaos. They won’t be a workforce.”
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3
“I received higher contracts”
Talking of Messi, Guardiola has constantly showered the Argentinian with reward, calling him the best footballer of all time on a number of events.
Nonetheless, maybe essentially the most memorable and amusing praise got here in 2022, when, in an interview with Telemundo Deportes, he in contrast Messi – who scored 211 objectives in 219 video games below Guardiola at Barcelona – to NBA legend Michael Jordan, and likewise took the chance to thank him for the numerous impression he had on his profession and his checking account.
“For me, Messi is every thing in my profession and he made me extra aggressive,” Guardiola mentioned. “With out him, we’d have gained [trophies], however not as many. I evaluate Messi with Michael Jordan when Phil Jackson may really feel what it was wish to have the most effective participant and he gained six [NBA championship] rings. I additionally gained as a result of he made it straightforward.”
He added: “I nonetheless owe him a bottle of wine as a result of because of him, I received higher contracts.”
4
“All of the alcohol in Manchester”
Whereas Guardiola is undoubtedly a stickler for achievement, he additionally is aware of the right way to let his gamers benefit from the fruits of their labour.
In Might 2023, Metropolis have been confirmed as Premier League champions for a 3rd consecutive yr after Arsenal misplaced 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. The subsequent day, Metropolis beat Chelsea, lifting the Premier League trophy and gathering their medals in celebration.
Nonetheless, earlier than their upcoming journey to Brighton & Hove Albion simply three days later, Guardiola’s squad made time for a correct knees-up. Pictures emerged of the workforce having fun with an evening out at a nightclub, soaking within the second after their hard-earned title.
Metropolis performed out a 1-1 draw on the south coast, and Guardiola praised his workforce’s efficiency, particularly contemplating the celebrations they’d loved because the weekend.
“The sport we performed, 40 hours after I feel we drank all of the alcohol in Manchester, 40 hours later we behave and we confirmed why we’re the champions,” he advised Sky Sports activities after the match.
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5
“I will not depart”
Since taking cost of Manchester Metropolis in 2016, Guardiola has reworked the membership from a gifted however inconsistent workforce to essentially the most dominant pressure in European soccer.
So when the membership was hit with 115 fees for alleged breaches of economic guidelines in February 2023 and rumours started circulating that Metropolis may face relegation as punishment, followers understandably feared Guardiola may be on his method out.
Nonetheless, addressing the difficulty in November, Guardiola reassured supporters by stating that he remained absolutely dedicated to the membership, whatever the end result of the costs.
“I cannot contemplate my future [if] it relies upon [on] being right here or being in League One,” he mentioned. “There may be extra likelihood to remain if we’re in League One than if we win the Champions League. What folks accuse us of – we don’t agree with what they are saying.”
“We’re going to defend [ourselves] and after the decision is completed, I shall be right here, like a spokesman for my membership,” he added.
6
“Everybody on this nation helps Liverpool”
For a lot of his time as Manchester Metropolis boss, Guardiola’s foremost rivals have been Liverpool, with the Reds constantly going toe-to-toe with Metropolis for the Premier League title and different main honours.
In Might 2022, the 2 groups have been as soon as once more locked in a fierce battle for the title, with Jurgen Klopp’s aspect trailing Guardiola’s by only one level with solely 4 video games remaining.
After Metropolis thumped Newcastle United 5-0 to maneuver inside three wins of the title, Guardiola took a not-so-subtle dig at Liverpool, suggesting that most people most popular to see them win the title over his workforce.
“Everybody on this nation helps Liverpool, the media and everybody,” he advised beIN Sports activities. “In fact, as a result of Liverpool has an unbelievable historical past in European competitors. Not within the Premier League, as a result of they’ve gained one in 30 years, however it’s not an issue in any respect.”
7
“We can’t exchange him”
Considered one of Guardiola’s extra emotional moments got here in Might 2021, when he could not maintain again the tears as he paid tribute to membership legend Sergio Agüero after his penultimate sport for Manchester Metropolis.
Agüero got here off the bench to attain twice as Metropolis, already Premier League champions, thrashed Everton 5-0 on the Etihad Stadium in what was a fairytale goodbye.
“We love him a lot, he’s a particular individual for all of us,” Guardiola mentioned of Agüero, who gained 5 Premier League titles throughout his time in Manchester.
When requested how the membership deliberate to switch him, Guardiola, with tears operating down his face, gave what has since change into a memorable quote: “We can’t exchange him. We can’t.”
8
“Blissful New Yr”
Typically, simply generally, Guardiola lets his feelings get the higher of him, lashing out at whoever’s in his path – whether or not that be a referee, a participant, and even the substitutes’ bench, which he gave kicking throughout Metropolis’s draw with Arsenal in September 2024.
Occasionally, he additionally loses his cool with reporters, simply as he did with BBC Sport’s Damian Johnson again in 2017 following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Burnley, the place Fernandinho was despatched off after 32 minutes for a two-footed problem on Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
Regardless of his aspect profitable, Guardiola was visibly pissed off and located himself concerned in a tense trade, giving a sequence of quick, abrupt solutions.
Requested about his view on Fernandinho’s crimson card, he replied: “You’re the journalist. Not me.”
Johnson replied: “You are the supervisor. I am certain the followers want to know,” to which Guardiola shot again: “Ask the referee, not me.”
After insinuating that the interpretation of the foundations was completely different in Spain and Germany than in England, Johnson commented, “You do not appear that joyful that you’ve got gained.”
Guardiola’s response has since change into an web meme: “Greater than you’ll imagine. Greater than you’ll imagine, I’m joyful.
“I am so joyful, imagine me. I am so joyful. Blissful New Yr.”