Pep Guardiola was unveiled as the manager of Manchester City today as the Pep era kicks into gear.
The Spanish manager was in typically humble form when he declared that he was in Manchester "to learn".
He is considered one of the most innovative coaches in world football but was coy on what kind of tactics he would use and players he would bring in.
Asked about Lionel Messi and Guardiola responded, "It is not a bad player, this guy, but I am sorry Messi has to stay in Barcelona for the rest of his career.”
Ilkay Gundogan was there on crutches as he recovers from knee surgery and will not be available to Guardiola until the end of August or beginning of September.
Pep: I know the players, their quality. The past is the past. They have to show me
— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) July 3, 2016
He discussed the criticism levelled at him for picking the most dominant teams in the best leagues to manage and says he wants to be just as dominant with Manchester City.
“I have no preconceptions at all about coming to England or the football in the Premier League. I want to learn as much as possible.
"I have an idea of how we will play, but when I arrived in Germany with Bayern Munich, I had some ideas of how the team would play but changed them as I went along
“I know how hard the Premier League is and some people have said that I will find it hard to play the football I like to play in England so I said to myself ‘Why not?’ That’s why I’m here - because I want to try.
Guardiola is impressed with Manchester City's academy and seems intent on developing players from it to represent the first team in the future.
He said; “I came through the best academy in the world at Barcelona and when I arrived in the first team, I already knew players like Pedro and Busquets and settled in quickly – if a young player has the ability and they show me the passion to succeed in the world of football, they will be in my hands. It all depends on their quality and passion.”
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