Pep Guardiola has had a longstanding involvement in the sport of soccer. While the Spaniard has established himself as a great manager, he had a noteworthy career as a player at Barcelona and Spain. And then, of course, he superseded his fame as a great manager as well.
With his extensive involvement in soccer over the years, it’s only natural that he knows nearly everyone in the soccer world. A surprising story has recently been revealed about his previous connection with another Premier League manager.
Pep Guardiola’s years-old acquaintance with Ange
Ahead of his Manchester City side’s game against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, a report from the Guardian has surfaced about the two managers’ previous connection. Ange only recently joined Tottenham this season, and so many will wonder how the two are connected.
It happened years ago, in July 2019, when Guardiola’s City were on a preseason tour to Japan. Manchester City faced Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in their stadium for a minor trophy. The two clubs are owned by City Football Group, and so they are connected. Surprisingly, the coach of Yokohoma at the time was none other than Ange Postecoglou himself.
The friendly game ended in a 3-1 victory for City, but that day, Ange showed his true brilliance. His Japanese side was suffering all season but produced a truly great display against a super City team. In fact, they held more ball possession than Guardiola’s team, with 58% of it. This makes them one of four teams to have more possession against the club in the era of Pep Guardiola.
That game earned Postecoglou recognition abroad, with City Football Group noticing his similar play style to Guardiola. Soon, they recommended the Australian to Celtic, where he would go on to have more success.
Guardiola demands better from City fans
Ahead of the crucial game against a rising Tottenham side, Pep Guardiola has called on City fans to be better and more supportive. Recently, reports are suggesting that City could see a conclusion to the case of being given 115 charges for allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play rules. With clubs like Everton being punished, City could face anything from a heavy fine to relegation as well.
Guardiola, in an interview, asked the City fans to appreciate the greatness and dominance his side has shown in the past six years under him. He said, “We won a lot, and in the future understand this is an exception. It’s not normal to win the Treble, five PL’s in six years.”
He then asked fans to continue supporting the club when the ‘bad moments’ eventually come, hinting they may come this season. “Continue to enjoy but when the bad moments are coming this season, or next, you have to be there.”
Pep Guardiola will hope his team comes out with another win against Tottenham in their Premier League clash.
