According to English football legend Jamie Redknapp, Man City coach Pep Guardiola has contributed to changing football, creating a greater influence than legendary Man Utd coach Alex Ferguson.
"I think he's the greatest manager. Why? Because Guardiola changed football," Redknapp told Sky Sports as Man City celebrated their third consecutive Premier League title, after beating Chelsea 1-0 at home in round 37.
Guardipla lifted his fifth Premier League title with Man City. Photo: Gallo
Guardiola has been at the Etihad since 2016 and has turned City into a winning machine. He has won five titles in seven seasons in England. The Spaniard has also helped City win the 2018-19 FA Cup, four League Cups and two Community Shields. The Champions League is the only trophy Guardiola is missing from City, and he will add it to his collection if he beats Inter in this year's final.
Since taking charge of Barca in 2008, Guardiola has won 11 national championships, with five with Man City, three with Barca and three with Bayern. In 14 years of coaching, his collection includes 28 major titles and many prestigious individual awards.
"He changed the way people perceive football. When you watch football today, everywhere, from the dirt pitch, people play the Guardiola way. People try to play from the back when we think it's impossible. In Guardiola's tactics, the midfielders and defenders move in different areas. They operate wide, splitting the defence," commented Redknapp.
After giving Guardiola compliments, the former Liverpool midfielder affirmed that Guardiola's stature has surpassed great coaches such as Arrigo Sacchi, Johan Cruyff, Bill Shankly and especially Alex Ferguson, who led Man Utd for 27 years, winning 13 English championships, five FA Cups, four League Cups, nine Community Shields and two Champions Leagues.
Ferguson's former pupil, ex-midfielder Roy Keane, does not support the view that Guardiola is the greatest manager in history. But he is full of praise for the Man City captain.
"The truth is Guardiola is all star players. But it's also a challenge when you have to balance the egos of the players. He likes to challenge them, maintain the desire for the team. Guardiola is fit, clearly looks after himself. I think he's the most important person at Man City," Keane said.
Jamie Redknapp was born in 1973, his father is Harry - the coach who led Tottenham, West Ham - and is the cousin of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. Redknapp was a mainstay of Liverpool from 1991-2002, before moving to Tottenham and retiring with Southampton in 2005. For England, Redknapp scored one goal in 17 matches. He is currently a commentator for Sky Sports and sports editor at the Daily Mail .
Vinh San (according to Sky Sports )
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