‘Superior’ Pep still trying to find his feet
FROM Pep Guardiola, some humility. The Manchester City manager is, he admitted, still finding his way in English football.
“I know I have to adapt to your football,” said Guardiola. “I know I have to accept many, many decisions and understand how you have to react. But sorry guys, I need time. I’m not good enough to immediately know the way to play.”
Guardiola can come across as a little superior, patronising even. In defeat he can appear rather disdainful and it is not a good look.
But on Monday he was not like this. On Monday, two days after the trauma of a home defeat by Chelsea the Spaniard was in a more accommodating mood.
He did not particularly enjoy being asked about Sergio Aguero and the challenge on David Luiz that earned the centre forward a four-game ban at the weekend. He didn’t much like being asked about his midfielder Fernandinho, sent off for shoving Cesc Fabregas over an advertising hoarding, either.
But in terms of the conversation about his City team and where they are heading, he was at least prepared to have one.
Earlier this season, some excitable observers suggested the Spaniard was about to change English football. Now, the reality of life in Europe’s most competitive league appears to have dawned on him.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach remains optimistic but realistic.
“I am enjoying it a lot,” he said, when asked if he was. “Of course when I win I am happier and when I don’t win I am not so happy. But I am enjoying working with the guys and where I am working. I am trying to do my best.
“The biggest challenge was when I started working at Barcelona, I had to create my career. Then I go to Germany to improve myself, I come here to improve myself.
“I would not be here if in Barcelona I didn’t make good. It would be another coach here. I was in Bayern Munich because I was quite good in Barcelona. I am here because I was quite good in Germany.
“After beating Crystal Palace and Burnley I was actually a little bit worried. I thought if we play like this, we are not going to go anywhere. When sometimes you win but you don’t play good or don’t deserve it, that is worrying. But one hour when I am home after the Chelsea game, I think to myself, ‘This season is going to be good’.
“We are actually playing good, faster than we did in Munich and even in Barcelona.
“Of course I would have preferred to have won against Chelsea and we would be top of the league. Then our analysis would be completely different. But I’m confident because we play 60, 65 minutes good. We need to continue, continue, continue and when we do, we’ll be there.”
Despite triumphs such as their 3-1 win over Barcelona last month, it is not unusual for City to look defensively uncertain. What is also apparent is that his team needs to improve. Guardiola admitted that he needs to change a little and the same can be said of his team – Daily Mail