MY ACCOUNT
Pep Guardiola hailed the “attractive” high-intensity philosophy that German-influenced managers have implemented in the Premier League, but insists he will stick with his own principles.
There are several Premier League bosses whose experiences include coaching stints in Germany, with Jesse Marsch, Ralf Rangnick, Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp and Ralph Hasenhuttl among them.
The fast-paced style of play, designed to profit from regaining possession high up the pitch, has many advocates, with current Manchester United interim boss Rangnick a key figure behind its success.
New Leeds United head coach Marsch was Rangnick’s assistant at RB Leipzig, where Southampton’s Hasenhuttl took charge when the current short-term Old Trafford chief departed in 2016.
Chelsea boss Tuchel pinpointed Rangnick as a mentor after playing under him at Ulm, while Liverpool’s Klopp has utilised similar ideas to challenge Guardiola’s Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Going into the weekend, City sat six points clear of Liverpool, who had the chance to cut the gap to three when they played West Ham on Saturday. The Manchester derby awaits City on Sunday.
“With Jesse Marsch arriving at Leeds it is already a tendency,” Guardiola told Sky Sports of the Bundesliga influence. “Five teams, important ones, playing this way, it is because what happened in Germany arrived here.
“Five important teams and managers all playing this way. Transitions, playing inside, high pressing, everybody together, it doesn’t matter if we lose the ball because I recover the second one and attack you again, you lose it again and you lose it again.
“This incredibly good methodology, it is the deep tendency here in England.”
Asked whether the approach was for him, the Spaniard said: “It is so attractive when they do it well. It is so attractive for the spectators, and they have had success.
“Of course, I learn a lot in Germany. I adapt. Listen, I am from Catalunya, you know. My education, my football education, comes from there. And I learn a lot here, I learn a lot in Germany, but my principles come from there.”
Guardiola’s emergence through the Barcelona system means he is indoctrinated in that way of playing. Regardless of the trophy achievements of the likes of Klopp, the Spaniard says that when it comes to his method, he “cannot change it because they have success”.
He expects a difficult task against United, who entered the weekend on the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (eight games), as City eye a league double over the Red Devils for just the second time under Guardiola.
But the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona chief insists he is learning that, whatever the result, he must be more patient on the touchline whichever way the game goes.
“I understand more that the players can make mistakes,” he said. “Before, I was more anxious, more angry. Sometimes I am, but I understand because I know they want to do well. I know they want to win against Manchester United.
“I know they want to win the Premier League. I know they want to win the Champions League.”
He spoke of always being “anxious and angry”.
“But after the action is done, it is gone. I cannot correct this action. So why am I shouting about how they have behaved?” Guardiola said.
The 51-year-old City boss is learning that his players are not automatons, and that while he might complain that “they don’t listen to me”, he is reconciled to the limitations of his pitchside influence.
Guardiola added: “I have to understand at the end that as much as I want to change, I will not change.”
