Happy Birthday Pep Guardiola!
By David Crook
The arrival of Pep Guardiola as manager of Manchester City back in July 2016 was arguably one of the most important moments in the history of our club.
Since the takeover of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour over a decade ago, the whole strategy of the owners has been about building a global business based upon beautiful football.
The appointments of ex Barcelona staff such as Ferran Soriano and Txiki Bergeristain soon followed, and could be viewed as part of a long term strategy to lure the best coach in world football – Pep Guardiola.
This patient approach took some 9 years to bear fruit but eventually delivered the coach we wanted and City have not looked back since.
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Changing the way in which football can be played in the English football league – contrary to the doubters – may well prove to be his greatest legacy, more so than the ever impressive trophy haul he has left in his wake.
In fact, you could argue that such has been his positive impact upon the English game that fans of other clubs have had to find alternative ways to try and belittle his achievements e.g. FFP.
As fans of City though there can be no doubt. Guardiola has cajoled the best football I have ever seen from this team. Fast and controlled, full of delighful skill and clever approaches. Quite simply, in an era of great coaches, Guardiola has cemented his position as the auteur.
We may not win every trophy or every game, but what a beautiful way to fail.
So today we celebrate the 49th birthday of Guardiola. The most successful coach in our 125 years of history. Yesterday, he gave us fans another present – spelling out that he will honour his existing contract.
Guardiola assured us he will “100%” be our manager next season, adding as an afterthought “unless I am sacked”. The chances of that appear remote. Even if he punched the owner I think he would get away with it.
So today the fans need to remind Guardiola just how pleased we are to have him. We’ve got Guardiola, go the words of the song. Long may it continue.