CITY SPECIAL RUTHLESS: Pep could be tempted by Italian job in the future
PEP Guardiola has offered a hint as to his next destination as manager when he leaves City.
The Spaniard left previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich when he felt he had nothing more to offer, and he will not stay at City longer than he needs to.
While City fans may not like to think about the prospect of life after Guardiola, they may be reassured to know he has his sights on conquering another country rather than seeking another challenge against a rival in England.
Guardiola has won league titles in Spain, Germany and England, along with a host of domestic trophies.
Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Italy, Guardiola was asked how Italian football can improve and the City boss defended the Azzuri’s recent history in international and domestic football.
He said: “What is lacking in Italian football to make a leap forward in terms of mentality? Nothing is missing, history is not written in the last two years, Italy remains what it is.
“It is important to reflect on why we did not go to the last World Cup, but we all have to learn from Italy, which has always won and in many ways. Defending well is a talent and you are masters. Life is this, we win and lose, but I am convinced that in Italy there are very good players and they can do very well.”
On the subject of managing in Italy, Guardiola refused to rule the possibility out.
“A bench in Italy? Why not,” he said. “I would never have said that I would go to Germany and that I would learn German. Here you eat well.” RAHEEM Sterling has explained his transformation into one of the most consistent goalscorers in England.
Much of the talk surrounding the City No.7 in recent days has been about his lack of international goals but it is a different story entirely for the 23-year-old on the club scene.
Since the start of last season he has scored 27 times in 56 games for City, averaging just under a goal every game, and he is already on four Premier League strikes for the campaign after just seven appearances.
Speaking ahead of England’s trip to Spain in the Uefa Nations League last night, Sterling discussed his development from a tricky winger into one of the Premier League champion’s most feared marksmen.
“The main thing now is to keep trying to be a goal threat,” he said. “When I was a bit younger, I wasn’t too interested in scoring goals, I was all about trying to look nice and show people I’ve got a lot of ability.
“But now I’ve started to realise that no one remembers the fancy stuff you do on the pitch, it’s about the effectiveness and what you do for your team.
“As I’m growing and developing, I understand that now, especially with the national team because I need to get these goals going.
“I think I’m probably more driven now to be able to get on the end of things, being in the box a lot more. “Before, I was going wide, trying to beat a player and now I’m trying to get on the end of stuff, being around for scraps and trying to make goals for myself. “I’m much more confident when I’m in and around the penalty area now so I feel the goals will come for England as they have been doing for City.” Sterling was without an international goal since 2015 but England boss Gareth Southgate was confident the drought would soon end. “We have to keep getting him in the right positions,” Southgate said. “We have to create chances for him and he has to keep getting in the right areas. “The other night [against Croatia] there was a ball that flashed across the box and he was just behind the defender when he has to try to get across the front of those if he can.” Raheem Sterling