Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Friday 18 May 2018

Guardiola commits to Man City, England team hopes to benefit

Continued from Page 17 team. Who coaches our
Wherever Guardiola goes, youngest players? It's dads,
it's not just his club celebrat- it's parent-run junior football
ing but also the country. teams. So the impact of
Within two years of him seeing that team five, sev-
turning Barcelona into an en years ago, it was enor-
all-conquering side, Spain mous on dads, on football
lifted the World Cup for people. "So when I watch
the first time in 2010 after kids football now ... I see
adopting the same high- them playing out from the
pressing, possession-based back, I see them encour-
brand of football. age. I don't see coaches
The "tiki-taka" tactics then on the side with their hands
moved with Guardiola to in their heads saying, 'Get it
Bayern Munich in 2013, and forward, get it out of there.'
the World Cup also passed And I think that's been an
from Spain to Germany. impact of his teams with
Six of the players deployed (Andres) Iniesta and Xavi
by Germany in the 2014 fi- (Hernandez) those types
nal victory against Argen- (at Barcelona)."
tina had just enjoyed a first The longer Guardiola stays,
season under Guardiola at the more time English play-
Bayern and national team ers can learn from the
coach Joachim Loew was greatest coaching brain of
inspired by the Spanish the early 21st century.
coach's quick transition, If Guardiola completes his
passing style. new deal at City, it would
In England, Guardiola is al- represent his longest tenure
ready having an impact on in a coaching job.
Southgate's plans heading Starting out in top-flight
into the World Cup in Russia management in 2008,
next month. Guardiola spent four years
Winger Raheem Sterling, overhauling Barcelona
cast as a fall-guy when — winning three Span-
England was embarrassed ish league titles and the
by Iceland in the 2016 Euro- Champions League twice Manchester City soccer team manager Pep Guardiola, right, acknowledges supporters during
pean Championship round among 13 honors. After tak- the British Premier League champions trophy parade in Manchester, England, Monday May 14,
2018.
of 16, has matured and ing a sabbatical, Guardio-
flourished during two years la took charge of Bayern
with Guardiola at City. and won the Bundesliga
Center back John Stones in each of his three years.
has gained more belief Leaving Germany before
under Guardiola's guid- getting burnt out, Guar-
ance while right back Kyle diola moved to England
Walker has become more in 2016. Resisting chang-
versatile and can shift into ing his methods while en-
a central position. during criticism through
Southgate has also bor- a trophyless first season,
rowed from the playbook Guardiola completed his
by ensuring England plays second campaign at City
out from the back. Just as this month as a double win-
goalkeeper Joe Hart was ner. After collecting the
jettisoned by Guardiola at League Cup in February,
City and now dropped by City sealed the Premier
England, Everton No. 1 Jor- League with five games to
dan Pickford could start at spare and finished with a
the World Cup because of record 100 points.
his strength using his feet. The one doubt hanging
Catching up with Guardio- over City was regarding
la at the League Manag- the 47-year-old Guardiola's
ers' Association awards on future. That has now been
Tuesday night, Southgate settled before entering the
discussed the influence he final year of his old contract
is having all the way down by penning new terms.
to the grassroots game. "We have a young squad
"He is in danger of hav- with an average age of
ing an impact on English 23 and we want to keep
football," Southgate said. taking steps forward and
"When the Champions maintain the levels we've
League was on terrestrial achieved this season,"
(free) television, more peo- Guardiola said after signing
ple were watching it, that the three-year contract.q