Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has opted for a diplomatic response after former Italy and Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello labeled him “arrogant” in a recent interview. Rather than engage in a war of words, the Spanish tactician acknowledged Capello’s comments but chose to downplay any controversy.
Guardiola’s Response to Capello’s Criticism
Before Manchester City’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion, Guardiola was questioned over Capello’s comments. The 53-year-old answered with a humorous statement about his time in Serie A, even though he acknowledged being aware of the Italian’s remarks.
“Be cautious because I pay attention to whatever people say about me. Something similar has been expressed by Mr. Fabio Capello before. Still, I’m not skilled enough to wreck football in Italy. Our style of play is a small part of Italian football. Give Fabio a big hug, please.
In his remarks, Guardiola tactfully rejected Capello’s assertions while retaining his trademark poise.
Regarding Guardiola, what did Fabio Capello say?
Capello launched a harsh attack on Guardiola’s philosophy of football in an interview with El Mundo, accusing him of overcomplicating tactics in crucial games and blaming his alleged lack of tactical innovation for previous Champions League failures.
What is it about Guardiola that I dislike? His conceit. The only one in which he didn’t try something goofy in the pivotal games was the Champions League he won with City. However, he always aspired to be the main character on important days in Manchester and Munich for the remaining years. In order to emphasise, “It’s not the players who win, it’s me,” he would invent and alter things. And he lost multiple Champions Leagues as a result of his conceit. I admire him, but it’s obvious to me.
The former manager of England and AC Milan also said that Guardiola’s tactical influence was hurting Italian football.
Furthermore, he has caused a great deal of harm to football, even if it is no longer his fault. Because everyone tried to be like him for 10 years. Italian football lost its essence as a result of it. “Stop! You don’t have Guardiola’s players,” I said. Additionally, there was the ridiculous notion that playing good only required doing that. Many people fled football because it was both a disaster and a source of boredom. They are only required to view the highlights; why would you watch ninety minutes of horizontal passes and passes without any fighting?
Capello’s critique suggests that Guardiola’s possession-based style, often emulated across Europe, led to a decline in the traditional intensity of Italian football.
Guardiola’s Influence on Contemporary Football
Despite Capello’s harsh words, Guardiola’s influence on the game is undeniable. Since taking charge of Barcelona in 2008, the Spaniard has revolutionized football with his tactical innovations, inspiring teams across Europe to adopt a more technical, possession-based approach.
With two Champions League titles at Barcelona and a historic treble-winning season at Manchester City in 2022-23, Guardiola’s record speaks for itself. His reputation as one of the best managers in football history has been cemented by his league victories in Spain, Germany, and England.
At Manchester City, Guardiola has overseen a period of domestic dominance, securing five Premier League titles in the last six seasons, while also guiding the club to its maiden UEFA Champions League triumph in 2023. With City continuing to compete on several fronts, his current campaign is still on course for another successful season.
While Capello’s comments reflect an old-school perspective on football, Guardiola’s success proves the effectiveness of his philosophy. He chose humour over hostility in his measured response to the criticism. As Manchester City continues to chase further silverware this season, Guardiola will let his achievements on the pitch do the talking.
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