Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has talked about how the game of football has changed since the end of his playing days and how it has affected the next generation of managers.
The Spaniard believed that the changes made him different, both tactically and literally, at the end of his maximum career, when he was no longer playing in Europe.
Deep-lying midfielders were no longer favoured in 2004. Football has evolved and now expects more from midfielders.
“My skills have not diminished. It’s just that football is different. To play against a back four, you have to be able to challenge, tackle, like Patrick Vieira or Edgar Davids. If you can pass, that’s a plus.” Guardiola said.
Everything changed in 2023, when City was preparing to play Crystal Palace, led by Patrick Vieira. It was the type of football described by Guardiola at the time, but it appeared unrecognisable to a younger fan. Guardiola was the man who brought football back to life.
Rodri is probably going to be the deepest midfielder at Selhurst Park today. He was more physically dominant and more effective in the air than Guardiola, but his ability to pass the ball like his fellow was arguably what really made the difference.
Rodri has completed 2,046 passes in the Premier League this season, 314 more than the next closest player.
No one anticipated Guardiola to set the ball up rock in a different way when he benched Yaya Toure and selected Sergio Busquets to make his Barcelona debut in the base of the midfield, controlling Xavi Xernandez’s performance in his first home game at Camp Nou.
After two decades and ten league titles, Guardiola believes he is no longer tough. Football has “bent” to Guardiola’s will, but the overall situation remains unchanged.
“My physicality doesn’t allow me to play the way we need to play now. Maybe they’ll make me take more vitamins, I’ll eat better or sleep better.” Guardiola said.
“I might get better, I don’t know. But I have the feeling that the players in that period, they were quicker on their feet.” he added.
