Xavi Says Pep Guardiola Will ‘Change’ English Football at Manchester City

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez believes his former mentor Pep Guardiola will “change the face of English football” when he takes over as Manchester City manager this summer.

Xavi, now plying his trade for Qatari club Al Sadd, spoke to the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Doha. Per their website, he said:

It is a big opportunity for him at Manchester City. I think he will change the face of English football. If there is anyone capable of changing that mentality, it is Guardiola. It is a great opportunity but there will also be a lot of pressure, because everyone always expects a lot from [Guardiola]. But he is without doubt one of the best coaches in the world at the moment.

Guardiola thinks about football all the time, he is obsessive in his attention to detail. We still talk regularly and discuss football.

The former Barcelona manager is known for helping cultivate the “tiki-taka” philosophy of attractive, possession-based football characterised by short, quick passing and dynamic movement on and off the ball.

In England, the closest equivalent has been Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, though for myriad reasons the Gunners have been less successful than Barcelona or Bayern Munich over the last decade.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez lauded Guardiola’s trophy record and abilities as a coach:

21 trophies in seven seasons for Guardiola. A genius ahead of his time coaching Manchester City next season.

— Rafael …

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