Tag: Pep Guardiola

Should Pep Guardiola Be Considered a World-Class Manager?

James Hill
Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has been one of the most talked-about figures in recent football history ever since he first started out his coaching career with Barcelona in 2008. The Spaniard had instant success with the Catalans, spending four fruitful years at Nou Camp and winning multiple coveted trophies. That is why it was no surprise that Bayern Munich fans were elated when they heard the news that Guardiola is going to coach the team and despite his stay in Germany proved to be a bit controversial at the end, the same…

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Why Pep Guardiola Must Find More Minutes for Phil Foden

James Hill
Pep Guardiola and Phil Foden Manchester City Logo

There’s so much to talk about Manchester City right now that it’s easy to leave some important points behind. The lack of enough playing time for the talented Phil Foden is a good example of that. The youngster has been excellent in most of the games he’s been on the pitch. The problem is that the depth of City’s squad made it hard for Pep Guardiola to find enough minutes for the academy graduate. In the wake of City’s UEFA ban, the brief return of Laporte and the famous win…

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Why Aymeric Laporte Is the Key to Manchester City’s Season

James Hill
Aymeric Laporte Pep Guardiola Manchester City

I’ve stated multiple times that Pep Guardiola’s refusal to buy another central defender is one of the reasons why Manchester City failed to meet the expectations this season. I still believe that is the case, but I can’t deny the fact that the Spanish manager has been unlucky too. The injury of Aymeric Laporte early in the campaign was monumental. The Frenchman is the best player in arguably the only position where the champions are short in numbers. What he brings to this team is invaluable for many reasons and…

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Four Potential Disasters for Manchester City after the UEFA Ban

James Hill
Pep Guardiola and Manchester United Logo

This season has been disappointing for Manchester City already, but the ban received from UEFA is something else. The club will miss two years of European football and pay some solid fines for breaching the Financial Fair Play rules. To be honest, we all knew that the team is spending ridiculous amounts of money and I don’t think too many people are shocked by the decision. Or at least the shock probably comes from the fact that UEFA is doing something about it, not the violations per se. Whether other…

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Will Guardiola’s Refusal to Buy a Centre-Back Ruin Manchester City’s Season?

James Hill
Pep Guardiolas Manchester City

The title fight in the English Premier League this season was one of the least competitive races in the modern history of the tournament. One could argue that Liverpool’s unbelievable run is the reason why the gap is so big and that’s a good point. However, Manchester City achieved at least 98 points in back-to-back campaigns and on paper, should’ve been up there with the Reds. The reigning champions are fighting with Leicester for second instead. They have recorded five defeats already and their record is far from what we…

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Could John Stones Really Join Arsenal?

James Hill
John Stones and Mikel Arteta

The January transfer window is often full of speculations. Some of them are completely unexpected and that’s exactly the case with the reports that Arsenal is interested in signing John Stones. We all knew that the Gunners need a centre-back but this particular player was never mentioned before. Could this transfer actually work? Let’s take a look at all sides involved and what they could gain or lose by a potential deal. Manchester City John Stones currently plays for Manchester City and some suggest that the club might be unwilling…

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Guardiola refuses to explain why he has left Yaya Toure at home

Vyom Chaudhary

In quite a turnaround in a matter of few months, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure finds himself in the fringes of the City squad. The Ivorian is yet to make an official appearance for the Citizens this season, and when manager Pep Guardiola dropped him from his squad for the Champions League trip to Feyenoord on Wednesday, it was clear that all is not well between the two once again. In the first part of the last season, Toure was involved in a stand-off with Guardiola, and only when he…

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Pep Guardiola gives his players a dressing down following Southampton draw

Vyom Chaudhary

Pep Guardiola’s spell at Manchester City has suddenly turned into a nightmare. City started life under the Spaniard with ten consecutive wins in all competitions, but they are currently on a run of five games without a win. Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton made sure that Guardiola, for the second time in his managerial career, was left without a win in his last five games. In yet another game, City were made to pay for an individual error as centre-back John Stones’ back pass was latched onto by Nathan Redmond…

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Pep Guardiola takes a dig at Manchester United

Vyom Chaudhary

Manchester City continued their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium today. The Citizens are the only side left in the league to have a perfect record this season. City were without the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva for today’s game, but their attacking prowess was still on display for everyone to see. Belgian Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for City while young striker Kelechi Iheanacho doubled the lead before the half-time. Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan completed the…

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Pep Guardiola engineering an improved Manchester City side

Stuart Campbell
Pep Guardiola

It has not taken Pep Guardiola long to seamlessly settle into his new role as Manchester City manager. Since delivering his first press conference as Manuel Pellgrini’s predecessor, Guardiola has made significant progress towards developing a vastly improved City side, from the one which finished fourth in the Premier League last season. In addition to signing Iilkay Gundogan, Nolito and Alexander Zinchenko, in order to prepare his entire squad for the new season, Guardiola is currently engaging them in a well-designed training programme of the ilk which he ran in…

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When a little Manchester City superfan meets Pep Guardiola…

Vincent Van Genechten
Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is not just a football manager, he’s a celebrity. When Braydon Bent, a young City fan, got into the club’s cab, he was surprised by the presence of the new Manchester City boss. “Is it really him,” he asked the driver. But soon thereafter, the kid was speaking to Guardiola like he was one of his best friends…

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Manchester City agree personal terms with star defender, bid for Serie A winger rejected

Vincent Van Genechten

Pep Guardiola is ready to take his biggest challenge so far very seriously. The new Manchester City manager has already secured the services of Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito, but he wants more. The Citizens are ready to offer £51.2 million to Juventus for Leonardo Bonucci. The Bianconeri don’t want to sell the Italy defender but City have offered him a five-year contract with £6.8 million per year wages, according to various sources, including Tuttosport (via Football-Italia). Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, who works for beIN Sports, CNN, and La Gazzetta dello Sport,…

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Manchester City reportedly secure second big summer signing, miss out on defensive star target

Vincent Van Genechten

Manchester City have sealed a £40 million deal for Schalke star Leroy Sane, beating the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United to his signature. According to a report by The Sun, the Citizens have secured their second big summer signing for incoming coach Pep Guardiola, after signing midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month. Once again, Man City looked to the Germany Bundesliga and found Sane, who is one of the most highly rated young players in Germany and Europe. Sane has scored 13 times for…

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Pep Guardiola wants to sign Manchester United outcast and La Liga star striker

Vincent Van Genechten

It’s obvious Manchester City are primed for a big summer. With Pep Guardiola coming in to coach the Citizens, the club are expected to sign a number of big names. City have already secured the signing of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund and are the reported favourites to land young gun Leroy Sane from Schalke 04. However, according to The Daily Mail Guardiola is also considering a shock move for Victor Valdes, who has been released by Manchester United. The goalkeeper was Barcelona’s number one under the new City…

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Manchester City complete first signing of the Pep Guardiola era

Vincent Van Genechten
Ilkay Gundogan Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City have announced the signing of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract, becoming the first signing of Pep Guardiola’s reign for a fee believed to be around £20 million. The Citizens announced the deal on Twitter, after the German international urged them to do it: Sounds like a plan @Guendogan8! Let’s do it: https://t.co/0rlKYLR4UF #WelcomeIlkay #mcfc https://t.co/PNUHaDMJ1U — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) 2 juni 2016 “I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City,” said Gundogan on the club’s website. “When I learned of City’s interest my…

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Premier League Season Review – Manchester City

Stephen Donovan

Manchester City: 4th FA Cup: Round Five Capital One Cup: Winners Champions League: Semi-finals There was a degree of surprise when Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini signed a contract extension to remain at the club for a third season, where there was a great determination emanating from the top to atone for a trophyless 2014-15, as well as reaching the latter stages of the Champions League. In the final reckoning both of those targets were met, but regardless of that Pellegrini’s days were always numbered. That was confirmed by the…

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Premier League standings prove Manuel Pellegrini is right Pep Guardiola news hurt Manchester City

Vincent Van Genechten

Manchester City have endured a rather difficult season, failing to make a successful bid to win their third Premier League title since 2012. On Febuary 1, 2016, the Citizens officially announced that current Bayern Munich and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will become the club’s coach starting from next season. The announcement happened at the end of the January transfer window and just before City went into a key run of matches, including home encounters with title rivals Tottenham and Leicester. A team that had just lost key playmaker Kevin De…

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Alex Ferguson warns Pep Guardiola about the Premier League

Vincent Van Genechten

Football fans from all over the world are counting down the days until Pep Guardiola takes over as coach at Manchester City. The current Bayern Munich and former Barcelona boss agreed to become the Citizens’ next coach earlier this year, replacing Manuel Pellegrini on the bench. The Spaniard’s move to the English top flight comes with great expectations, as he’s gained much success in Germany and Spain. However, Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson has now come out to warn Guardiola. “Man City have made a real coup in getting him…

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Manchester City to splash big on defensive starlets

Vincent Van Genechten

Manchester City are prepared to pay £80 million to sign Aymeric Laporte and John Stones to give new coach Pep Guardiola the long-term centre-back partnership he wants, according to the Daily Express. The Citizen’s squad is set to undergo a major revamp when the current Bayern coach arrives during the summer, with the Spaniard already confirmed as Manuel Pellegrini’s successor at the Emirates. Their season so far has shown that the area of most concern will be the heart of their defence, as captain Vincent Kompany has suffered a set of…

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United eyeing Juventus and PSG stars, City leading race for German playmaker and Arsenal talent

Vincent Van Genechten

Despite having let the midfielder go on a free transfer in 2012, Manchester United are lining up a bid to sign Paul Pogba during the summer. Juventus are said to value the 22-year-old midfielder at around £62 million, while the Red Devils are facing competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport and as reported by Metro. Meanwhile, according to Turin news outlet Tuttosport Juventus continue to monitor Mario Gotze’s situation at Bayern Munich, as the Germany international was linked with a move…

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Pep Guardiola wanted to be Arsenal boss, claims famous fan

Vyom Chaudhary

Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has claimed that Pep Guardiola wanted to be the next Arsenal manager. The Spaniard, who is currently in charge of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, will take charge of Manchester City on a three-year deal in the summer. The Good Morning Britain presenter also claimed that Guardiola wanted to bring Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry as his number two at the Emirates Stadium. Henry has previously played under Guardiola at Barcelona, and won an unprecedented sextuple during the 2008-09 season under the former Barcelona manager. Morgan made the claim…

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Paul Pogba drops a massive hint about his future

Vyom Chaudhary
pogba juventus

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is one of the most sought after football players in the world at the moment. Almost all major European clubs, including the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have been linked with the 22-year old. The France international was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in the past two transfer windows, but his recent comments suggest that he might be interested in a move to another Premier League club. The former Manchester United man has indicated at a…

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Dani Alves calls Liverpool player his toughest opponent and Pep Guardiola “a football Einstein”

Vincent Van Genechten

Barcelona’s winger Dani Alves has named his toughest opponent, and it’s not who you would expect, while calling Pep Guardiola “a football Einstein”. The Brazilian has faced some of the world’s best players in his career. Just think about the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Juan Mata and David Silva. However, the 32-year-old says Liverpool’s James Milner always gave him the most problems. “I have faced many, but the most annoying was James Milner,” Alves told The Times. “He follows you forward and follows you backwards. It’s very difficult because he…

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Jose Mourinho is convinced he’ll coach Manchester United next season

Vincent Van Genechten

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is understood to have told friends that he expects to become Manchester United’s coach in the summer of 2016, according to The Telegraph. The Red Devils have refused to deny reports they have held discussions with the Portuguese and no deal has been struck between the two parties. However, a well-placed source told the Telegraph: “Mourinho’s going to Manchester United. It’s a done deal. Chelsea is the only big job up for grabs.” United have been forced to act rapidly after Manchester City lured in Pep Guardiola to take over…

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Is Jose Mourinho close to signing for Manchester United?

Vincent Van Genechten

Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to sign a contract at Old Trafford and take on new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in the Premier League next season, according to Sky Italia journalist Alessandro Alciato. The Italian broke the news via his Twitter account, with the official Sky Sports account retweeting it fairly quickly. The Portuguese coach has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford since his sacking by Chelsea and speculation has intensified following confirmation of Pep Guardiola’s move to Manchester City. Mourinho went head-to-head with Guardiola in Spain during…

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