Josep Guardiola, better known as Pep Guardiola (Sampedor, Spain, 1971) is a highly successful former soccer player and coach.
The Catalan’s football career was developed mainly in the club of his loves, Futbol Club Barcelona, ​​where he played for 11 seasons and was able to win 6 La Liga trophies and a Champions League, among many other merits and highly prestigious titles.
His time as a coach has been even more glorious if possible. Being Barça’s first coach, he managed to win all possible titles in a single season, being the first and only coach to achieve such a feat.
To get to know Pep Guardiola’s personality a little more closely, we are going to investigate his statements, famous quotes and most notable reflections.
13. In this room he is the fucking boss, the fucking master and I don’t want to compete at any time. I just remind you that we have been together for four years. He knows me and I know him.
In the same line.
14. On the field I try to learn a lot when I play against Mourinho. Off the field I try to learn little.
A criticism of the bad verbal arts of the Portuguese coach.
15. I congratulated Real Madrid for the victory and the Cup they won. The referee of the Cup final was very attentive and ready. Offside is by centimeters.
An arbitration decision benefited Real Madrid.
16. I am like a woman. I can do several things simultaneously. I can control both situations.
About your capacity for divided attention.
17. Cruyff’s legacy is infinite.
The myth of Johann Cruyff, rest in peace, is a great treasure for Barça.
18. Johan was like that teacher that you always hoped to have class with.
Emotional words towards his mentor.
19. When Leo Messi leaves football there will surely be a sinkhole.
Logically, Messi’s mark on football is irreproducible.
20. Messi is the best player we have ever seen and I think he will be the best player we will ever see.
Probably the best footballer in history.
21. I hope Leo retires at 40 years old. He never plays badly because he is too good to be able to afford it.
Leo’s technique and intelligence are infinite.
22. When he plays without pressure, Messi gets bored and I feel sorry for those who want to occupy his throne, because it is useless.
Another sincere praise for the Argentine.
23. Who is more complete than Messi? He is the best at everything, at work, at partnering, at understanding the game. He is simply the best footballer I have ever seen and will ever see.
Certainly, Messi’s talent spans all facets of the game.
24. The only thing I did at Barça was transmit the learning of Cruyff and Rexach to the new generations.
Their mentors and all their learnings.
25. Signing for Real Madrid would be absurd and countercultural.
An impossible, practically.
26. They say it’s easier to change women than football teams… And it’s true.
27. There is nothing more dangerous than not taking risks.
Defensive football usually has bad results in the long term.
28. I did everything I could with Ibrahimovic, but I couldn’t understand him. It’s a football issue.
One of the most controversial stars, Zlatan, and his cold relationship with Pep.
29. I assume I was wrong in the signings, but that does not mean that the players did not have a level.
Sometimes, a player not fitting into a project is a question of chemistry, not quality.
30. I left 6,000 kilometers away and asked (Rosell) to leave me alone, but they have not kept their word.
A comment after his departure.
31. They have used Tito’s illness to hurt me and that is something I will never forget.
Also about the Barcelona board of the moment.
32. I hate ‘tiki-taka’. I hate it. Tiki-taka is passing the ball just to pass, without any intention. And this is of no use. Don’t believe what they say: Barça had nothing tiki-taka! That’s an invention! Don’t pay attention!
Totally true: Pep’s Barça game had a strict sense of offensive efficiency.
33. The League is won in the last eight games, but it can be lost in the first eight.
Great reflection from Pep Guardiola about the championship’s regularity.
34. I need to hug my players and explain to them, I need to convince them, there is nothing more wonderful than trying to put your ideas into your players’ heads.
Persuasion and sharing ideas makes the team better.
35. What characterizes a good coach? What the players will say about him when it’s all over.
The memories always remain.
36. Players are not stupid: if they see you hesitate, they catch it instantly; And if sometimes you are not clear, don’t talk to them, go home and the next day, when you are clear, talk to them. Football players are pure intuition, they smell the blood, when they see you weak, they stab you with the sword.
A coach has to convey total determination.
37. In soccer I am very selfish: I want the ball for myself, and if the opponent has it, I don’t wait for him, I’m going to take it from him, let him know that I’m going to take it from him, that I’m going to get him. My teams are that.
Defensive pressure was one of the keys to Barça’s success during the Pep era.
38. There are phrases that I have heard and that I do not believe. ‘You have to run little, what should run is the ball’, for example. No: here you have to run a lot. I am less romantic than many people think.
His strategy had little romance and a lot of cash.
39. Those who doubt everything are those who are most right.
Precisely because they have few certainties.
40. Soccer is the simplest game in the world: the feet only have to obey the head.
Reflection in a philosophical tone.
41. When you can no longer motivate your players as a coach, that’s when you know it’s time to leave.
There comes a time when it is time to renew the bench so that the team continues to function.
42. I am aware that for you I have not fulfilled by not winning the three titles, I have to live with that. But I know I’ve given it my all.
You cannot blame him for his absolute dedication in each game.
43. Even if they don’t win the treble, Bayern will still be the best club in the world.
At the time he made these statements, Bayern Munich seemed unstoppable.
44. I cannot promise titles, but I can promise a lot of work and dedication.
Sincerity and honesty.
45. The most wonderful thing about my profession is imagining the game that is going to happen tomorrow.
To be a coach you have to play at being god.
46. ​​The most educational tool I have had has been through sports. I have learned to accept defeat, that someone else is better, to get up after not having done things well, to strive to do better…
Sport is a true school of values.
47. I never ask my players for anything special. Just do what you know and be daring. Without daring, important matches are not carried out.
You have to be responsible but at the same time bold.
48. When you go to train somewhere, you have to try to convey what you feel.
No one succeeds with someone else’s ideas.
49. The thing is not now between Mourinho and me. We can’t just focus on ourselves or someone else will win.
There are more rivals who also compete in the tournaments.
50. I will always be grateful to the people who gave me the opportunity to come here. We may not win anything, but we are going to try.
About a new stage in his coaching career.
51. We have to be bold, go out into the field and do things, not sit back and wait for it to happen. We have to show what we can do and that we deserve to win the title. We have to be brave and go out and play…
Some inspirational phrases for just before starting the decisive match.
52. We can’t always look in the mirror and say how good we are. When things are going well is when you have to be more attentive. The fear of losing is the fundamental reason to compete well.
Never let your guard down, even if everything looks good.
53. We will only be remembered if we win, if we don’t win, all this will remain as an anecdote.
Important winning mentality of the Catalan.
54. You are good and you know you are good. Enters. I am a great defender of the human being and I believe very, very, very much in him. We have to run, we have to run, move, because if not… They are waiting for us on that side, take it back and put it on the other side!
Motivational phrase for your team.
55. If we get up early and work, we are an unstoppable country.
About Catalonia and its people.
56. The secret of a good team is in order, that everyone knows what needs to be done.
Automations and good plays emerge in order.
57. Did I win four classics as a trainer? No, we beat them.
Important nuance that reveals his collectivist mentality.
58. It bothers me to lose even in training or parties. It bothers me to even lose the table football.
He always wants to win.
59. Part of me says that I should stay involved in football and another part says that I should stay away.
Faced with a difficult decision after his successful career as coach of Futbol Club Barcelona.
60. Gentlemen, do you realize when you feel tired and think that life is difficult, that a teammate of yours has played 13 games with a monster that ate him from the inside? Ok, we are tired, there are excuses, but there are priorities: we are in good health and Abi has set an example for all of us.
About Abidal, who played despite suffering from a very aggressive cancer.
61. Help them because this way you will help each other.
In giving there is also receiving.
62. We can never deceive them because they will catch us and when they catch us, we have won.
Honesty is always the best option.
63. There is no coach who doesn’t want the Champions League because it is a brutal competition, it is very beautiful, but the League gives you something different, it is the day-to-day work, the effort, it gives a lot of value to the team.
The differences between the two major competitions.
64. Football doesn’t end because one, two or three people are missing.
No one is irreplaceable, not even himself.
65. There are many games where you have to sweat blood to win.
There is no small rival, any match is a 90-minute fight.
66. Playing soccer without goals makes you lazier.
You always have to keep short, medium and long-term objectives in mind.
67. I judge my team by intentions, not by results.
Special emphasis must be placed on the importance of making the most of every play.
68. A coach’s dream is for everyone to believe in your idea, because the players know that we want the best for them.
The football concept determines the hallmark of each club.
69. Mourinho and I are twins, we both want to win titles. Conte, too. And Klopp, and Pochettino. I will never criticize other coaches for how they play.
Respectful of rival coaches.
70. Iniesta helped me understand football better by watching him play.
