Guardiola faces up to spell without City star De Bruyne
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Pep Guardiola begins life without Kevin De Bruyne against Huddersfield this weekend, but the build up to the match was dominated by reviews of his onscreen performance.
Guardiola has found himself at the centre of intense media scrutiny this week, following the release of Amazon’s fly-on-the-wall documentary series that covers City’s Premier League-winning season.
The unprecedented access granted to the film’s producers created sensational headlines, even before it was officially launched for public viewing on Friday.
And, although Guardiola concedes the series may reveal some of his managerial techniques, he is relaxed about that possibility.
“We had cameras following us 24 hours a day so that can happen,” said Guardiola. “People will see how a team is behind the scenes.
“On the secrets, every game is completely different to the others, and the players make the tactics. You have Kevin De Bruyne playing one way, and if he is not available, you have to adapt to the players who are playing in his place.
“So then we have to change our tactics. Tactics are about football players, not ideas from the manager.”
De Bruyne will be out for around three months after injuring knee ligaments in training on Thursday, although he will not require surgery.
City have any number of potential replacements.
David Silva, who missed spells of last season to be with his prematurely-born son, will feature more often at the heart of Guardiola’s attacking plans.
Promising youngster Phil Foden, still only 18 but reportedly under consideration for a call-up to the full England squad by Gareth Southgate, may also play more often during the Belgian’s absence.
But it is the fall-out from the documentary that appears set to dominate conversations about Guardiola and City for the opening few days of the season.