Can Pep repeat his CL success?

​​​​​​​Pep Guardiola returns to the Nou Camp on Wednesday night as he continues his efforts to turn Manchester City into a European powerhouse. Can he repeat his famous 2008/09 Champions League success with Barcelona in his first season in charge of the Sky Blues?

Manchester City have a complicated relationship with the Champions League. Supporters boo the pre-match anthem after years of feuds with UEFA, and the lack of enthusiasm compelled Pep Guardiola to issue a rallying cry after their 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach last month.

“They must forget what happened in the past,” he said. “We have to be so proud to play in this competition. I am going to work until the last moment to convince people to come here and join us to see the Champions League games. Our players deserve the stadium completely full.”

It is not what Guardiola is accustomed to. His former clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich had long, proud histories in the competition, and as he bids to elevate Manchester City to a similar level, this week’s trip to the Nou Camp is a reminder of the size of the task ahead.

It also stirs memories of his first season in charge of Barcelona – before he had carved out a reputation as the world’s most coveted manager.

The Catalan had enjoyed a glittering playing career at his boyhood club, but his coaching experience amounted to a single season in charge of the B team when he inherited what Thierry Henry described as “chaos” from Frank Rijkaard in the summer of 2008.

The appointment was a huge risk, but the board were in no doubt about the new man – and neither was he. “I feel prepared,” he said at his unveiling. “If I didn’t I wouldn’t be sitting here. I don’t have experience because I’m 37. If I was 45 I’d have more. There are lots of coaches the club could have chosen but they chose me. I’m not afraid.”

That single-mindedness was clear as Guardiola swiftly …

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