City began preparing the ground for Guardiola’s arrival in 2012, when they appointed his former Barcelona allies Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain as chief executive and director of football respectively.
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Guardiola, who was announced as City’s incoming boss on February 1, said taking the job was never dependent on whether or not they reached the Champions League. Sunderland have a tried and tested formation and are unbeaten in pre-season and their performances have been promising.
Guardiola knows it will take time to re-energise the club and get the squad enjoying their football again, but wants to see more passion and heart from his players from the off as they seek a fifth domestic title.
“It’s totally different, obviously”. Pep once said if he could play with 11 midfielders he would, if he could have 100 per cent of the ball he would do that too. “I think he’s ready”. The spirit in the camp is good and we’re going to need that going into the game this weekend. I’m confident in what we’ve been doing on the training field in preparation and we just want to get started now’.
“To create something we need time”.
There is an expectation that the season will be defined by the resumption of the rivalry between Guardiola and his former Real Madrid nemesis Jose Mourinho, who takes Manchester United to Bournemouth on Sunday.
“Joe is a player I’m so happy about (with) his qualities, his behaviour, and what he means to this club”.
City claimed revenge a year later when Sergio Aguero scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 3-2 win.
Three of City’s summer recruits in Gabriel Jesus, Marlos Moreno and Aaron Mooy are not in immediate first-team contention while Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are injured.
A young center back breaks the record for highest transfer fee for a defender with a 50 million pound deal from Everton to Manchester City.
Stones’s arrival is timely, with captain Vincent Kompany recovering from groin surgery and fellow centre-back Eliaquim Mangala out of favour.
Hosting Claudio Ranieri’s side at the KC Stadium for today’s early kick off, Hull’s preparation hasn’t exactly been ideal but pre season has seen five wins from eight so the players should go into the game with reasonable confidence but it’s not going to be easy.
Guardiola has described it as “the most important game for our season”.
Opening day fixtures don’t come much tougher than Manchester City away – especially when they have a new manager keen to make an instant impression.
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Sunderland striker Jermain Defore has recovered from a thigh strain in time to feature, while new signings Papy Djilobodji, Donald Love and Paddy McNair could make their debuts.
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The first north London Premier League derby of the season between Arsenal and Tottenham will be shown exclusively on BT Sport, in one of nine live games in October and November.
