PEP: MY RECIPE FER SUCCESS
City boss praises his Brazilian ace
PEP GUARDIOLA says he could guarantee the Premier League title this season – if he had three players like Fernandinho.
The Manchester City boss has been purring at the contribution of the Brazilian midfielder who has been vital to his success at the Etihad – and will be a key man at White Hart Lane today. Guardiola has heaped responsibility upon the 31-yearold’s shoulders and the player’s response has left his manager in no doubt he should get a new contract when his deal runs out at the end of this season. The Spaniard said: “What has happened so far would not have been possible without him. If a team has three Fernandinhos, they would be champions. “We have just one. But he is fast, intelligent, strong in the air and can play several positions. When he sees a space, he runs there. When you need someone to challenge – he is there also.”
The former Barcelona boss said his responsibility began and ended on the training pitch, adding: “I know how managers work in England – they control things. But here I am not a manager, I am a trainer. If I say I want a player, I give my reasons.
“If they come back and say he is too expensive and that we can’t buy him – fine. If we can, perfect. I give my opinion and, if it is possible, we do it. If the club decide my opinion is good here, I hope he will stay because I’ve just said what I think of him.”
The midweek 3-3 draw at Celtic Park hardly brought Guardiola’s train off the tracks but it did prove his players were human after 10 straight victories. Those credentials will be given another stiff test by Spurs today. However, one thing is for sure, he will not compromise how he plays.
He said: “Nothing will change – these are my principles. When I lose, I am sad – but do I want to change the way I play? No way.
“Before I came here, I was told the Premier League is the toughest in the world – that everyone can beat everyone. Now, I accept that.”
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino knows there will always be comparisons between himself and Guardiola.
They were rivals at both Barcelona and Espanyol as players and bosses and the Argentine said: “I don’t like to compare our styles. Yes, we both have similar ideas but not the same – all managers are different.”
There is a mutual respect and friendship between them but they don’t see much of each other now with Pochettino adding: “It’s difficult to meet up but we respect each other and have a good relationship.”