Pep: Kind Carlo helped make me
PEP GUARDIOLA credits Carlo Ancelotti with playing a key role in his emergence as one of the world’s most revered managers.
But Guardiola will have no qualms about dumping Ancelotti’s Everton out of the FA Cup today, as Manchester City aim to continue their quest for an unprecedented Quadruple. Ahead of their quarter-final at Goodison Park, he revealed how Ancelotti helped early in his coaching career by inviting him to watch his formidable AC Milan side train. Guardiola has never forgotten the Italian’s generosity but will still be happy to end his mentor’s hopes of silverware. “I don’t know how many years he’s been a manager,” said the City boss. “But he’s been at some of the best clubs in Europe – Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea, Milan, Juventus, Napoli and now Everton.
“He’s been everywhere and at all the places he’s had success. I know what people mean when they talk about him as a manager and as a person – I remember especially how he took care of me.
“I visited him when he was in Milan in my first years. All the time off the pitch, I remember how gentle he was, so I admire him a lot.
“He allowed me to see one or two training sessions. He was so kind and we spoke a little bit about life and football.
“Nothing special but you feel it when people take care of you. They’re good people and he’s one of them, for sure.”
When City beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison last month, Ancelotti suggested it was almost impossible to defeat the runaway Premier League leaders, such was their class.
Guardiola smiled when Ancelotti’s comment was put to him, saying Manchester United had proved City were not invincible by beating them 2-0 earlier this month.
“Carlo should have said it to United as they proved we are not [unbeatable],” said Guardiola.
“It’s different games and different competitions. It’s a quarter-final, that game wasn’t.
“We’re away and we have to realise how Everton play, how we can find spaces and control set-pieces.
“They have a master taker in Gylfi Sigurdsson and the quality of players are there, no doubts.
“They’re doing well in the league and fighting for the
Champions
League places – that shows how well they’ve done.”