Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pep’s City will be as good as NOU
They can rule Europe like our great Barca team claims Xavi
PEP GUARDIOLA will achieve at Manchester City what he did at Barcelona – and turn the Blues into the best side in Europe.
That is the view of Barca legend Xavi, who believes Guardiola has laid the foundations for City to win the Champions League and dominate Europe for years.
He enjoyed a glittering career at the Nou Camp, winning two Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles playing under Guardiola, as well as a host of other trophies as the Catalan club ruled Europe. Midfield maestro Xavi claimed City, who broke Premier League records last season by winning the title with 100 points and by a 19-point margin, is only going to make them better.
“Pep will only improve Manchester City,” said Xavi. “People were impressed at how they won the title last season – but there will be more. The next target will be the Champions League and under him I think they will do it.
“He built something at Barcelona that will always be remembered in football – he can do the same in Manchester.” Despite a third-placed finish in his debut campaign at City and a trophyless season for the first time in his managerial career, Guardiola refused to compromise his coaching principles and philosophy. He persisted with his evolution of City’s style and was vindicated with last season’s title triumph, which was achieved with his side playing arguably the best football the English game has seen.
Xavi (left), part of Guardiola’s breathtaking Barca side alongside Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, said the manner in which City achieve success under him is just as important as lifting trophies. Their fellow former Barca team-mate, Dani Alves, claimed playing and training under Guardiola during that golden period at Barca was even better than sex. Xavi stopped short of endorsing that claim, but agreed City’s players will love learning under Guardiola. “It’s not just what you achieve but how you achieve it,” said Xavi. “Manchester City are playing great football – and I guarantee the players will be enjoying training sessions as well as the games.”