Guardiola has won 22 trophies including the Champions League twice since 2008, firstly with a Messi-inspired Barcelona until 2012 and then at Bayern Munich from 2013-16.
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Expectations for Manchester City FC have soared with the arrival of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Airways Stadium.
“I proved myself where I was born in Barcelona and after I proved myself in Germany”, Guardiola said, “and I want to prove myself here”.
“At the end what I want is for our people and supporters – and people who love football – to enjoy and be proud of what we did”. Maybe we achieve titles, but if the people are not proud of us, it is nothing. I spoke many times with Txiki too.
He said: “This is my new house”.
The ex-Barcelona manager also revealed his immediate priority is to get to know his first-team squad during their pre-season preparations. Anywhere I can fit in, I will play. “He will bring us to the best level we can play”.
On Sunday Guardiola appeared a touch uncomfortable at the Cityzens Weekend, in which he was hailed as a football deity as City understandably made the most of his unveiling before fans.
“I have to say something – Stuart Pearce was right”.
‘Now my dream come true. With these added improvements, Guardiola can rest assured that his players will be able to focus on learning how to play the Guardiola way.
The north west of England will host several of football’s big managerial names next season, with Jurgen Klopp in place at Liverpool and Ronald Koeman in charge at Everton, but Guardiola insists that the focus should be on the players. “That situation is now in this moment better than Manchester United’s, though”. I have come here to learn, learn the way the people live here, for my family, for my kids. 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.
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Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has become the second of Arsène Wenger’s former captains to join Manchester City after agreeing a coaching role under Guardiola, with whom he played at Barcelona.
