Zimpapers Logo

Pep Guardiola

LONDON. — Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says incoming boss Pep Guardiola is a “proven winner” who will transform the club.

Guardiola has already visited Manchester twice since the end of the season, inspecting the club’s City Football Academy and Etihad Stadium once on Friday and once in midweek before that with two members of his back-room team.

He took the opportunity to speak with director of football Txiki Begiristain and long-serving assistant Brian Kidd among others, and also flew to meet his new chairman in Abu Dhabi.

Guardiola was confirmed as Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement at the Etihad in February this year after he announced that he would be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of his contract in the summer.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a hugely successful managerial career thus far, winning three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Rey trophies among others at Barcelona before steering Bayern Munich to three Bundesliga crowns and two German Cups.

And Khaldoon is keen for Guardiola to continue his winning habit when he officially starts work on his three-year contract on July 1.

“I am absolutely excited about Pep joining our team. I consider Pep to be one of the best, if not the best, manager today in football,” he told CityTV. “We are getting a manager that epitomises, in my view, passion and commitment.

“He’s a winner, he is a proven winner. He has won professionally in every team he has coached. His record at Bayern Munich and Barcelona I think speaks for itself.

“The trophies . . . he has won every single club competition out there, from Champions League to La Liga, the Bundesliga, to the respective cups in both leagues he has played.

“We are getting a proven winner, a passionate man, someone I think will be an incredible asset to Manchester City and I have no doubt that he will transform our team to a whole new level.

“He’s someone that will be an incredible asset to Manchester City. He will transform our team to a whole new level.

“I consider Pep to be one of the best — if not the best — manager today.”

Guardiola has won 21 trophies as a boss at Barca and Bayern.

Khaldoon added: “His record speaks for itself.

“He has won every competition out there.” City won the Capital One Cup — their fifth trophy in five years — and reached the Champions League semi-final this season.

Yet Manuel Pellegrini’s three-year reign ended on a low as they only just sneaked into the top four on goal difference.

Khaldoon said: “All of us came into this season with high expectations.

“I cannot hide the disappointment of myself, Sheikh Mansour, the fans and I am sure the team.” — Sky Sports.