One of the brightest minds in football history is Pep Guardiola. He accomplished a lot as a midfielder, mostly for Barcelona, but it was as a manager that he really made an impact on the game.
The Catalan native has had an incalculable impact on the contemporary game, ranking among the greatest coaches of all time. During his successful tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, he has won every club football prize available.
He has consequently coached some of the top football players over the last several decades. Which players, then, are the most intelligent?
Even though Guardiola has worked with such footballing greats as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and many more, one Bayern Munich veteran stands out as the most cerebral player he has ever coached.
Philipp Lahm was adored by Pep Guardiola.
“He is one of the most fantastic players I ever trained”
According to Goal (via Sportskeeda), the manager praised Philipp Lahm specifically, highlighting his intelligence. He stated:
Perhaps the smartest player I have ever trained in my career is Philipp Lahm. He’s on an other level.
Guardiola spoke to the media in 2017 about his admiration for Lahm in greater depth, saying, “Philipp was and is a special person in my life,” during a press conference.
“A Catalan man finds it difficult to learn German and integrate into Munich culture after winning the treble. He supported me both on and off the pitch.
“He is among the most brilliant and amazing players I have ever tutored in my life. One of the greatest players in football history will be missed. Because he fully understands the game, he can play in ten positions without any issues.
“I am certain that he will be present when I return to Munich to visit my pals. That is the most valuable present a trainer can receive.
Philipp Lahm at Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola
Games
126
Objectives
4.
Helps
13.
Red/Yellow Cards
8/0
Honours
UEFA Super Cup x1, FIFA Club World Cup x1, Bundesliga x3, DFB-Pokal: x2.
Guardiola Later Praised Ilkay Gundogan
“One of the smartest I’ve coached”
Guardiola worked with another German who clearly has a very high footballing IQ after leaving Bayern for Manchester City in 2016. This time, the Catalan coach was full of praise for midfielder Ilkay Gundogan:
“Ilkay didn’t say much, but when he did, I was among those who listened. He was straightforward. He is among the smartest players I have ever coached. Our success was largely down to him,” Guardiola said.
“A player’s intelligence is what distinguishes them and elevates them to the elite level, even if they are quick or have a fantastic shot. I look for players who can make the appropriate choices under pressure and who are aware of the team’s demands at all times. I adore intelligent players. Ilkay simply needed to hear my explanations once. He grasped it and put it into practice right away. That is just remarkable.
Given that he was greatly influenced by two of Germany’s best players in the modern age, it is clear that Guardiola has a lot of regard for German football.
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