Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PERFECT PEP’S TOTAL FOOTBALL
Summerbee blown away by City stars
MANCHESTER CITY great Mike Summerbee had to place his honeymoon on hold when Europe called, but now wife Tina is all loved up with Pep Guardiola’s side.
The pair will watch City’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk from their Etihad seats after being mesmerised by the football being served up by the Spaniard.
Now, Summerbee could not think of a better way to celebrate next year’s 50th anniversary of City’s 1968 title triumph by lifting the Premier League or Champions League.
The couple will also be celebrating their golden wedding.
“The progress being made under Pep is phenomenal,” said Summerbee.
“Even my wife enjoys watching games these days and is knowledgeable about the current players. I suppose it would be a fitting tribute if we could end up winning one of the big trophies.”
The newly-wed Mrs Summerbee was not quite so understanding about the importance of Europe back in the day.
Then, 24 hours after their marriage – George Best was best man – the City forward was on his way to Turkey with his team-mates to face Fenerbahce in the European Cup.
The continental experience was short-lived, City crashing out against the Turks. Now, optimism of a rewarding run in this season’s competition is sky-blue high.
Summerbee revealed: “I was at Watford last weekend when we won 6-0 and Elton John, who was at the game, said he had not seen football like that for a long time.
“Watford was a watershed moment. Everybody knew what they had to do. The passing was exactly as Pep wanted it. And when he made his substitutions, the game never changed.
“From the moment he arrived, he wanted them to play a certain way and what I’m seeing now is close to perfection.
“This was the dream of the people who brought Pep to the club. To win at home and abroad with great football. It’s why they were so anxious to bring him here.”
As a club ambassador, Summerbee has witnessed at close quarters the Guardiola revolution.
“It’s a pleasure being with them, travelling around Europe,” he said. “I’m the most excited I’ve been for years. I know it’s still early days yet, but we are definitely playing the way Pep wants. It is exciting football.”
Just as it was in 1967-68 under manager Joe Mercer and coach Malcolm Allison.
City, with Summerbee, Colin Bell and Francis Lee, edged out bitter rivals Manchester United in the race for the First Division title on a tide of attacking football.
“There is a similarity between the entertainment value of the 1968 team and Pep’s side,” said Summerbee.
“Joe Mercer always said to play the game with a smile – enjoy it. You only have a short time at the top, so you might as well enjoy it was his motto.
“Malcom was very similar to Pep, very driven, but a more flamboyant character. On the coaching side, he was way ahead of other people then.
“On a Monday, for instance, we would train at a local athletics track, alongside top athletes such as Derek Ibbotson and Mary Rand. At first, we moaned, saying we were professional footballers, not athletes. But we ended up being the fittest side in the country.”
Guardiola is also prepared to push the boundaries in an effort to transform City into the kings of Europe, capable of following his former club Barcelona.
Summerbee is a regular at pitchside during City’s training sessions at their impressive Etihad complex.
“Pep is so intense during training. His attitude to what he wants is incredible. He is so driven,” added Summerbee.
“He doesn’t suffer fools, either. Anyone who doesn’t conform or rises above his station is history.
“It was the same in my day with Malcolm Allison. I remember thinking I’d made it after scoring plenty of goals in our championship-winning season.
“But, at the start of the next season, he told me after the Charity Shield I was finished and I would be training with the B team the next week.
“I had let myself get carried away. On the Friday, he said he was giving me one last chance and I was playing the next day against Sheffield Wednesday.
“We won 5-0 and I laid on three and scored one. Afterwards he said, ‘That’ll do’. The week had brought me back down to size.
“Pep is capable of delivering the same message. You’ve seen a number of players’ performances pick up.
“Every player needs a kick up the backside at times.”