Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently appeared on Fabio Fazio’s show “Che tempo che fa”, where he shared insights on his career, memories from Italian football, and addressed rumors about his future.
Guardiola, the only manager to win two trebles in football history, humbly attributed his success to luck and being part of strong clubs. He fondly remembered Johan Cruyff, crediting him as a pivotal figure in his football life. “I can’t imagine my football life without him, without what I experienced and learned from him,” Guardiola said.
The Spaniard’s fluency in Italian surprised many, which he credited to listening to Francesco De Gregori’s songs during his time at Brescia. He also humorously mentioned learning Italian insults, noting their “eternal length.”
Guardiola spoke warmly about his time in Italy, particularly his experiences with Carlo Mazzone and Roberto Baggio at Brescia. “If I hadn’t gone to Brescia, I wouldn’t have met Mazzone. Places are beautiful, yes, but what you remember in life are the people you meet,” he reflected.
Speaking about Roberto Baggio, Guardiola became emotional: “When I talk about Baggio, I get emotional. I met him at the end of his career when his knee was like a washing machine. He couldn’t move, and yet he was the strongest. I can’t imagine him at his best.” He praised Baggio’s universal admiration in Italy, both as a player and a person.
Addressing rumors about leaving Manchester City, Guardiola stated, “It’s not true, in the sense that I need to reflect.” When asked about a potential return to Italy, he jokingly said, “If Baggio accompanies me as an assistant, maybe yes. Genoa is strong.”
Regarding the Champions League, Guardiola mentioned Barcelona as a team he’d prefer not to face, citing his emotional connection to the club. He also addressed rumors about becoming England’s national team coach, saying, “No, it’s not true. If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything can happen.”
