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| Pep Guardiola was introduced to Manchester City fans on Sunday |
Pep Guardiola was
introduced to the Manchester City fans for the first time on Sunday afternoon
and told them he is relishing the challenge of furthering his managerial
credentials in England.
Press
Association report continues:
The
45-year-old has signed a three-year deal at City and will hope to repeat the
trophy-laden spells he enjoyed at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, where he won six
league titles, a pair of Champions Leagues and four domestic cups across the
two countries.
However,
the more competitive nature of the Premier League means Guardiola faces
arguably his greatest task yet in delivering domestic and continental success
for his new club.
Almost
6,000 thousand supporters were present for a question and answer session with
Guardiola at the team's academy base, with his first official press conference
due to take place next week, and the Spanish boss insisted he had taken the
post as Manuel Pellegrini's successor because he wanted to test himself in
England.
"That
is why I am here," he said.
"I
proved myself where I was born in Barcelona and after I proved myself in
Germany and I want to prove myself here.
"To
try, every game, every weekend that Manchester City play, that the people can
be proud and enjoy our way to play. At the end, we will see what is our level
to achieve our prizes, our titles.
"But
I want the people who love football to be proud of what we did, that is the
most important thing."
Through
his work at boyhood club Barca and with Bavarian giants Bayern, Guardiola has
cultivated a reputation for possession-based football which City fans are
hoping he can instill in the north west of England too.
But
the man at the helm stressed he needs to learn about his players first and in
particular which ones need a dose of tough love.
"You
will see when we are going to play the first game," he added of the style
he intends to implement.
"First
I have to meet my players, I have to know them. I know them from TV but I have
to know them, I have to hug them, kick their arse and after I need time to know
them. I have an idea but I need time."
Having
spent the bulk of his playing career in Catalonia, Guardiola's first taste of
English football will come in the dugout next month and the chance to sample
the sport on these shores was something he always wished to experience.
"One
of my dreams would have been to play here like a football player, it was not
possible and now my dream has come true," he said.
"Of
course the atmosphere here is 'wow', it's amazing. I want to live that in life.
"I
prove myself if I am able to be a good manager here in England, that is the
reason why. I come here to learn, learn about the way the people live here, for
my family, for my kids. That is why I was curious to move in Europe and learn
about what it means to live in England."
German
midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Spanish striker Nolito have already joined
Guardiola at City and one heckler in the crowd asked if Barcelona's Lionel
Messi would be following them through the entrance door.
"He's not a bad player, this guy, but I am sorry Messi has to stay in Barcelona for the rest of his career," Guardiola replied.
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