Pep Guardiola has just revealed a piece of advice he has been using from Sir Alex Ferguson ever since he arrived at Manchester City in 2016.
The former Manchester United boss is considered the greatest Premier League manager in history; however, many think Guardiola has already surpassed Ferguson at the top of the tree.
Guardiola has achieved unrivalled success ever since he stepped foot into the Etihad Stadium, with the Spaniard winning every trophy possible during his time in Manchester, and has even achieved things nobody before him has.
The legendary coach has now shared with the press a bit of advice he has been using from Sir Alex Ferguson over the years, which has helped lift six Premier League titles.
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Pep Guardiola has been following Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League title advice
Man City travel to Arsenal on Sunday knowing that a defeat to the Gunners could see them fall nine points behind Liverpool if the Reds beat Everton at the weekend, which could signal the end of their Premier League dreams.
Speaking to the press ahead of City’s trip to North London, Guardiola has revealed that his team just need to be close after Boxing Day, which is a bit of advice Sir Alex Ferguson gave Brian Kidd, who worked alongside the current Man City boss up until the 2020/21 season.
“Sir Alex Ferguson, when I arrived at Man City, said to Brian Kidd, ‘In the Premier League, after Boxing Day, stay close to the top-four. After, you can think about it’ [winning the Premier League]. Last season, after Boxing Day, we were in another country,” Guardiola said during his press conference.
“That’s why, go today, and we’ll see what happens. There are many games. For [my] experience, in the six Premier Leagues, I think four or five we were in December, January behind Liverpool, and behind Arsenal. And at the end, we won it.”
Wayne Rooney thinks a Man City win over Arsenal will worry Liverpool, due to the experience Guardiola’s men have of winning titles and coming away from the Emirates Stadium with three points would be a huge boost for the Manchester club’s confidence.
This weekend feels like a big one already in the current Premier League season, as it could establish who is really in contention for the title.
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Pep Guardiola provides fitness update on Rodri
Rodri exited the pitch with 60 minutes on the clock against Napoli on Thursday night, which may have raised some concerns among Man City fans given the midfielder’s recent injury issues.
However, Guardiola has confirmed that it was only a precaution after the 29-year-old played 76 minutes against Man United, while there are also just three days between the Napoli clash and playing Arsenal on Sunday.
When asked if Rodri is capable of starting three intense games in one week during his press conference, Guardiola admitted that he is unsure if the Spaniard will start on Sunday afternoon in North London.
“It’s a good question, I don’t know yet! He was so smart [coming off], I know it wasn’t over at 1-0, it’s always tricky, but if he doesn’t feel good, we always try to talk. He has to sustain and feel that if he’s not comfortable, it’s better [to come off],” the Man City boss told the media.
“We’ll see day by day, but it’s important he’s already played two games. Yesterday [before Napoli] at training, he didn’t feel very comfortable, he didn’t train good, but he said ‘I will be fine tomorrow’ and he played extraordinary like Rodri he is, with him on the pitch we feel more comfortable.
“He’s coming [back] from a tough, tough injury – he has to be alert, and we will decide on Sunday how he feels.”
