Goater - Why Replacing Pep Guardiola is an Impossible Job
IslandStats.com
With the talk that Pep Guardiola will leave at the end of the season Manchester City and Bermuda International legend Shaun Goater shared his views on what Guardiola has achieved at Manchester City, it’s just mind-blowing.
The man is a serial winner. For a decade or so now, he has just continuously provided trophy after trophy. But it’s not just what he won; it’s the way and the style in which he did it. It has been absolutely brilliant—totally dominating teams and totally dominating possession.
I remember watching him in those early first years. He actually educated us as fans. We were so used to a more direct game, but over time, we came to understand his philosophy. It was a revelation: “Hold on, we’re dominating the ball. We’ve got the ball for 75% of the game, we're creating most of the chances, and the opposition is just trying to get it.”
He didn't just change City; he influenced football at the lower levels too. Now you see clubs all the way down the pyramid trying to play out from the back. Before Pep, English coaches used to call it nonsense. Now, they’re all having a go because they've seen what's possible. He truly put the game on a completely different trajectory. He is going to be a huge, absolute loss.
During my time working with the women’s team at City, Gareth Taylor and I would occasionally get to watch and observe Pep’s sessions. In particular, we'd watch the 'Matchday Minus One' session right before a game.
It was fascinating. He would go through the tactical details according to how the opposition played, setting up the game plan and strategy. Then, I’d watch the actual match, and it would unfold exactly how he anticipated. The opposition would do precisely what he predicted, and City would get the result.
But for me, his real magic—the skill that people don't fully see—is what he does when a game is in progress. It could be halftime or 65 minutes in, and his analysis team feeds him information. Pep has this unbelievable ability to make that little tweak or adjustment—switching a formation, telling a player to go higher, lower, inside, or drop—to completely get on top of the game and create the goals needed. That in itself is worth all the money. If every coach knew how to do that, we’d all be Pep Guardiola.
Tactically, he’s evolved right before our eyes. Look at how he’s managed teams with a recognized number nine like Erling Haaland, where one player scores 50% to 60% of the goals.
But I also recall the time when we didn't have a recognized striker and he played with a False Nine. I have to say, that was a time when I think I saw City play the most brilliant, beautiful football. I remember thinking to myself, “I don’t really think you even need a forward!” I was almost talking myself out of the very position I played!
It was so effective because players were constantly rotating. One moment a player was up high, then they'd drop into midfield, and a midfielder would break forward. Teams just couldn't cope. We had seven players in different positions scoring over ten goals each. The goals were completely balanced across the squad. It was a fascinating thing to see him execute.
Like everyone here at City, I just want to wish him the best. It has been a real joy, and I have to say a huge thank you to him for bringing so much joy to the game.
As for the next manager trying to fill his shoes? Good luck to them!
Pep will be deeply missed. He has been absolutely awesome for us. I think I speak for all City fans when I say I can't wait to see where they put his statue. Personally? I think it needs to be front and center of the building.
