Fans will be ‘very excited’ about the future under Pep
CITY fans will be ‘very excited’ at Pep Guardiola’s plans for strengthening the squad this summer.
That was the assessment of one of the Blues boss’s oldest friends and confidantes in football, former Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
It was Laporta who boldly handed Guardiola his first senior managerial job, taking over the reins at the Nou Camp as the world looked on, full of doubt.
And he spoke to his old pal last week, when both men attended an event in Barcelona for the Johann Cruyff Foundation.
“Pep looked very well,” Laporta told The Guardian. “He was here for a few days, so we met up and he was very upbeat.
“He’s happy at City, optimistic he can build something. The way they plan to go about strengthening the team, I think they’re going to be extremely strong. The fans will be very excited.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do, eh! What I do know, and very well, is Pep and Txiki and that they’re capable of building a team that will enthuse people.”
But Laporta also said that Guardiola’s task is far more than just buying in players to make City a squad capable of challenging for top honours.
Together with two more Barcelona old boys – chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain – he will set about creating a culture of unity and pride at the club.
“We’ve always said anyone who lives in Catalonia is Catalan and you can apply that to Manchester,” said Laporta.
“City have players from around the world but they’re still citizens. The key is to make them proud of that - ultimately the soul of the club is in its feelings, which are transmitted to the players.
“It’s not about players being English, necessarily, more about connecting with fans.
“We worked hard on the youth system, developing players at home, who give you that identity, and that’s an idea Pep, Txiki and Ferran share.
“Pep’s record speaks for itself. Everywhere has its idiosyncrasies. He knew Barcelona as a kid but was successful at Bayern and I’m convinced he will be at City. He’s lucky to work with Txiki and Ferran, who trust him. That’s peace of mind.
“When I saw Pep he was animated, enthusiastic, excited for the future. He’s smart, has emotional intelligence, an ability to convince.
“It’s not easy: the Premier League’s a challenge and there are two great teams in the city but he’s the world’s best coach and could’ve gone anywhere.
“He chose City because they’d have the faith, letting him build the project he has in mind.”