Pep Guardiola paid tribute to the “incredible” Terry Venables on Monday, in response to the death of the man responsible for revitalising his old club Barcelona.
After Venables died on Sunday at the age of 80, a photo of Guardiola on the pitch at Barcelona’s Camp Nou surfaced on social media.
Guardiola was a wide-eyed 15-year-old learning his craft in Barcelona’s youth system at the time, and the photo shows him as a ball boy during his club’s European Cup semi-final triumph over Gothenburg in 1986.
Guardiola raises his arms in triumph, while Venables soaks in the applause of the audience as he is hoisted on the shoulders of two Barcelona players.
“As a Barcelona supporter, he gave us our first La Liga title in 11 years.” Guardiola told reporters on Monday, “His impact there was incredible.”
“He pioneered something new, particularly a particular type of pressing and the set pieces.” I recall how many goals our centre back scored. It’s a significant loss for English football.”
Guardiola went on to captain Barcelona and is widely considered as one of the club’s finest managers, but the Spanish giants were not as dominant when Venables took over in 1984.
Venables guided Barcelona to their first La Liga victory in 11 years in 1985 and to the European Cup final a year later, where they were defeated on penalties by Steaua Bucharest.
Guardiola did not play under Venables, who later went on to lead Tottenham and England, but he is well aware of the dynamic coach’s influence on his former team.
“I was only a ballboy at the time, but I had an impact on how they played.” “I remember talking to friends of mine who played with him, and their words for him as a manager, but also as a person,” Guardiola added.
“He was extremely amusing on Catalan shows, singing Frank Sinatra. He was a proper gentleman.”
On November 26, 2023, a television screen displays a photo of former England player and coach Terry Venables before the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Photographer: AFP
‘I have the stamina.’
Guardiola was speaking on the eve of City’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.
City only needs one point from their final two games to be certain of finishing first in Group G, giving them the advantage of playing their last 16 second leg at home.
The holders, like Leipzig, won their first four group matches and have already qualified for the knockout stages.
“It is critical to finish first.” “We believe that when we play in the last 16, having the second leg at home is not decisive, but it is a slight advantage that we must take,” Guardiola added.
Arsenal have knocked City off the top of the Premier League after consecutive draws against Chelsea and Liverpool, but Guardiola is pleased with his players’ drive.
“We’re doing really well, and we need to keep it up.” “I’m very pleased with our overall performance,” he remarked.
“The only game in which we gave up a lot of chances and goals was against Chelsea.” Our other game averages are similar to last season.”
When asked if City’s insatiable need for success will inspire him to continue beyond his current deal, which runs in 2025, Guardiola replied, “I have energy.” Of sure, it’s possible.
“In football, a year and a half is a long time.” “I arrived with hair eight years ago, and look what happened!”
Kevin De Bruyne, a City midfielder who has been out since hamstring surgery in August, indicated over the weekend that he intends to return to duty early next year.
“He’s had a difficult injury and surgery.” “He needs to recover quickly,” Guardiola remarked.
“He’s said end of December, new year, so it will be a happy new year for everyone.”