Pep Guardiola has explained that the challenge of getting new players to accept his methods is what keeps him motivated as a manager.
The Manchester City boss is one of the greatest managers in football history, having won ten league titles and two Champions Leagues during his 15-year managerial career.
Perhaps more significant are the ways in which he has influenced the modern game with his footballing philosophy, how he has improved players and how he has inspired the next generation of coaches.
What keeps Pep motivated?
Ahead of City’s Premier League match against Fulham on Sunday, Guardiola was asked what keeps him going after achieving all that he has.
When asked if the opportunity to work with new signings like Erling Haaland keeps him motivated, Guardiola agreed.
“It certainly helps. For me it’s important to have new players,” he said.
“I would like to have the players I started with at Barcelona, but time goes by and new players mean I have to seduce them.
“It’s a challenge – they come to play with us, I cannot delude them.”
Guardiola’s legacy
Guardiola was also asked about the legacy he will leave at City, after musician and City fan Noel Gallagher raised the topic after City’s 4-1 midweek win against Arsenal.
Never one to inflate his own sense of importance though, Guardiola said:
“Always I say, in our lives for everyone, it’s important to live momentum day by day.
“[To] make them [fans] happy vs Liverpool or Arsenal, what is better? Legacy is 10-25 years, people here in Manchester still remember.
“To know now [his legacy] I don’t know. Being there for a long time is an honour. People enjoy today, it’s enough.
“If people say how nice the period is in 7-8 years – [is there] a bigger compliment? You want to have fun, managers can’t forget it. The gift to others. The passion.
“I try to do my job but I’m not concerned about that [being considered best manager ever].
“My concern is live the moments now and now is Fulham. The rest doesn’t matter.
“Life when it’s gone is gone. When you pass away you pass away, they remember you a few days then is gone. It’s true, sad but true.
“When the manager is replaced, after you will leave. I want to live my history, I don’t I will live my history? Leave what you live. A chance to continue to do what makes people happy.”
