MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola said on Friday (Jan 18) that clubs he has coached in the past were involved in spying on their opponents after Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to using espionage tactics.
The Manchester City manager made clear he has not been involved in any such activity during his time in England, adding that he did not direct staff to spy on other teams while coaching in Spain and Germany.
He did, however, acknowledge that the sort of tactics used by Bielsa are common outside of England.
Bielsa, the former Argentina, Chile and Marseille head coach, admitted earlier this week that he had spied on all of Leeds' opponents in the Championship this season, after a member of his staff was apprehended at Derby County's training ground.
Guardiola has long been an admirer of Bielsa, saying recently that "everyone who works with him is a better player" and added that his opinion on the Leeds coach had not changed.
The City manager, who had four years in charge at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich, was asked twice at a press conference if he had ever spied on other teams.
He did not deny it but suggested that he had not led any such activity.
"In other countries, everyone does it, everybody does that," he said.
"The clubs are open. I was training at Munich, there were people with cameras watching what we do. Everybody does that."
SPY CULTURE
"It's the culture at other clubs, not just the previous one I was at. Whether it's now or in the future it's part of the club. Not because I said you have to do that. It was part of the culture of the clubs and the leagues," he said.
Guardiola, whose defending champions visit bottom side Huddersfield in the Premier League on Sunday, added that he fully respected that such activity is frowned upon in England.
"I'm not going to send anyone to spy on Huddersfield," he said.
Â
The City manager indicated that the spying controversy surrounding Leeds was only a small part of a wider culture, in which "everyone wants to know everything".
He added: "That's not just football, it's society. Everyone is spying on everyone. They want to see what happens in the personal lives of this man or woman. They want the gossip. Everywhere is like this. It's not exceptional in football."
During a press conference to explain himself on Wednesday, Bielsa indicated that, as Athletic Bilbao coach, he had done in-depth research before the 2012 Copa de Rey final against Guardiola's Barcelona.
Even though Bilbao lost 3-0 Guardiola suggested immediately after the game that Bielsa's knowledge of Barcelona was even greater than his own.
The City manager, though, was satisfied that Bielsa had not sent anyone to spy on his team's training sessions at that time.
He said on Friday: "Barca was a bunker - it was impossible, like here (at City), but that's a true story." Guardiola said he was impressed with the way Bielsa studied opponents.
"No manager around the world works with this information, they analyse one or two games.
"In the world he's unique but the most important thing I learned about what he said was that football belongs to the players, they make the difference, that's what I agree with most over what he said."
Guardiola has indicated that France full-back Benjamin Mendy is close to returning from a knee injury but will not be available for the Huddersfield match.
Example: "While I enjoyed my time learning and growing in my last job, there was a lack of opportunity in the way I wanted to progress in my career. I deeply enjoy being challenged and getting better at what I do, which I understand is a top priority for managers at your organization.
10 Ways To Become Better At Your Job Today - Forbes
Cardiff City City chairman Mehmet Dalman said on Tuesday the club will pay the fee for striker Emiliano Sala if they are contractually required to do so.. Sala had signed for the Premier League side and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.
Cardiff to pay Sala transfer fee to Nantes 'if obliged', says
Giroud put his club frustrations behind him after his second goal in his second competitive game saw him reach an international milestone, cementing his place among his country's greats. France hammered Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France, with forwards Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and defender Samuel Umtiti also among the scorers.
Giroud targets passing Platini's haul after 35th France goal
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week for their final Europa League group match, having already secured qualification to the last 32 in top spot.
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse - sg.news.yahoo.com
Watch NFL overseas, legally through the Internet . By and overseas U.S. personnel are no longer at the mercy of AFN to get their NFL football. Trump says transgender people banned from
Moscow fairytale comics to help migrants 'behave' - BBC News
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned" that the pilot David Ibbotson and those who arranged the flight "seemingly completely disregarded the rules of flying and put Mr Sala's life in such danger".
Cardiff 'Shocked' by Sala Pilot Report - News18
Football: Singapore national team caretaker coach Nazri Nasir proud despite loss - The Straits Times; High imports from China push up Singapore light distillate stocks - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
Singapore national football team - Wikipedia
London (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champi
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri | Sport24
Football News - EPL MAN UNITED And the United manager suggested that their own failures in management make them unqualified to offer such views. Mourinho reveals fragile ego of mystery Man
Jose Mourinho rejects first managerial offer since Manchester
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours. By. Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Chelsea but he was adamant he wanted to stay at the west London club
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours | IOL
Football: Fandi brothers Irfan and Ikhsan score again for BG Pathum and Raufoss respectively 0:0 Comments 5 ways Singapore is pushing the Virtual Reality frontier - Tech - Mashable SEA 0:0 Comments Eat, drink and be merry! Park Regis brings back #sginsiders heritage food trail 0:0 Comments
Ikhsan Fandi - Wikipedia
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised to Swansea for the goal that shouldn't have stood as the blues beat the Swans to progress to the semi-final of the FA Cup. With the score at 2-2, Aguero's diving header broke Swansea hearts, but replays showed the striker was marginally offside when the ball was played.
'I am so sorry' Pep Guardiola apologises to Watford for
Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning
Edinson Cavani is a major doubt for Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United after picking up a thigh injury in his team's 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Girondins de Bordeaux on Saturday. The Uruguay striker left the pitch on the stroke of halftime holding his thigh, soon after scoring with a penalty in the 42nd minute.
Cavani doubtful for Man United game, Latest Football News
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen