Guardiola: English football should be proud of its competitions

Guardiola: English football should be proud of its competitions

Pep Guardiola says English football has plenty to be proud of ahead of City’s fourth successive FA Cup final.

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The Catalan is approaching the end of his 10th campaign in England having taken charge of City back in 2016.

In that time he’s broken records galore across domestic competitions, including six historic Premier League titles, five League Cups and a record four successive FA Cup finals.

Our boss has embraced all elements and nuances of the game in this country and reiterated in Friday’s press conference exactly what he loves about working here.

“I think English football is so wide in terms of ideas. Maybe before it was more 4-4-2, more long ball to the channels, a lot of crosses,” he began.

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“It remains that but now it’s completely bright in terms of many managers who influence the football and now it’s different, scenarios are different.

“I think the aesthetic still is there. In terms of stadiums they are magnificent all of them. The traditional ones like take Fulham for example, or Selhurst Park or the new ones like Spurs or Everton.

“The fan support is unbelievable, the players, the organisation.

“I think the clubs when they are stable they don’t pay much attention to what people says, they do exactly what they have to do.

“Success doesn’t mean winning the titles it’s being there, up there. That for me is a success for many years.

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“I think the English people have to be so proud for the competition they have, we have, here in England because it’s top in all departments.

“Sometimes the fatigue is there. But it’s the calendar, the amount of games, it’s a lot of days. A few days to rest but part of that is top.”

Two stalwarts of Guardiola’s time in charge – Bernardo Silva and John Stones – will leave the Club this summer.

Club captain Bernardo has remained an integral part of Guardiola’s plans throughout the season, while Stones has been used more sparingly.

The England international was a late substitute in Wednesday’s home win over Crystal Palace in what was his penultimate home match as a City player.

With City comfortably in the lead, the Etihad crowd sang Stones’ name throughout the second half and gave a huge standing ovation when he came onto the pitch.

The boss said while he wouldn’t normally allow room for sentimentality, he had to give the fans what they wanted in seeing Stones play.

“I try to be what I believe,” he said.

“I said okay they paid a ticket, Jonny Stones must play. Normally no.

“Normally I try to be what the team requires in that moment or the players that feel more fit.”

Meanwhile, Nico O’Reilly is approaching the end of a campaign in which he has become a key member of Guardiola’s squad.

The 21-year-old, who spent much of his time in youth football in midfield, has largely shone at left-back in his 51 appearances so far this season.

Asked about the England international, Guardiola took another opportunity to praise the Academy graduate.

“He is so young. It’s not his position but has learnt a lot. The impact that he had in the season is not necessary to tell,” said Pep.

“He has many positions, more central, more close to the box but his physicality, his pace.

“I remember last season one game in FA Cup or Carabao Cup at home against lower divisions, physicality to go and back.

“I think he’s the perfect player for this league.”