Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is widely considered to be the greatest manager of all-time.
And if people don’t think he’s the greatest, then they certainly think he’s up there.
The Spaniard has been a revelation, not just at Manchester City, but at his previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola has won a plethora of trophies, but when he comes to retire the thing he’ll likely be remembered for the most is the style of football he introduced.
His teams have produced football that has been astounding to watch at times, and you need only see how many teams have tried to replicate it to understand how influential he’s been.
But there’s one other thing about Guardiola that Gerard Pique has talked up in a new interview.
Pique lauds Man City boss Guardiola’s ability to motivate players for years
Pique has been speaking about his old manager in a new interview with Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.
Pique spent a few years working with Guardiola before he moved to Germany with Bayern, and one thing strikes him about the 53-year-old – and that is just how he can constantly keep the motivation levels of his players high.
He said: “I think that on a tactical and strategic level he is a genius, he knows how to read the game, predict how it will end, he gives you all the tools you need to be able to counterattack or defend. And then…
“In the transmission of the motivational message, he is unreachable, and manages to keep the group’s attention high and constant even for several years.
“It was very complicated, in a locker room of such high quality and that had won so much, to guarantee the same level of performance, he even changed his language.”
Pique has previously spoken about Guardiola’s obsession with football, and believes he is the greatest manager of all-time.
Pique used to think Sir Alex Ferguson was better than Guardiola, having played under the Scot at Manchester United. But the former Spain defender is no doubt now that Guardiola is the greatest.
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Guardiola’s most underrated quality
Everyone knows Guardiola is an incredible tactician, and his ability to develop players is also a fantastic quality of his.
But it has to be said, Guardiola’s insatiable appetite for winning is quite remarkable.
| Pep Guardiola record at Man City |
| Games managed – 490 |
| Wins – 360 |
| Draws – 60 |
| Losses – 70 |
| Goals scored – 1239 |
| Goals conceded – 446 |
| Trophies won – 18 |
Football seasons can be gruelling, and can take a lot of out everyone. But Guardiola’s teams never relent and that comes from him.
He is constantly wanting more and trying to drive the highest possible standards. It can’t be easy to keep players motivated year in year out, but he manages it – and that is evident with how many trophies he’s won.
