Surprising choice
It was surprising that Johan Cruyff, the deceased former player of the Dutch national team, selected Pep Guardiola as one of the members of his all-time ideal eleven in his autobiography.
Guardiola's presence
Pep Guardiola was present as a guest of honor at the presentation of Cruyff's biography in England. The current Manchester City coach gave a brief interview to "The Guardian" and confessed some passages he shared with the Dutchman.
A learning experience
"He once told me, 'You're slower than my grandmother.' And he was right. He would scream at me, 'Control with your left.' At first, I only used my right foot. But now, I teach this to my players," specified the Spanish coach.
Motivational words
What Johan Cruyff told him was simply an encouragement to push himself harder in practice and learn how to use his other leg to become an important player in the team.
A special figure
Pep Guardiola remembers the innovator of "Total Football" with great affection. He acknowledged that Cruyff's arrival at the Barcelona bench allowed the evolution of the team's thinking.
Cruyff's impact
"We needed something new and Johan Cruyff built it step by step. That's why he was so special," he added.
A lasting influence
Finally, the City strategist recognized that Cruyff's contribution to his career as an athlete and coach allowed him to become what he is today.
A lucky encounter
"I thought I knew about football, but when I started working with him, a whole new world appeared in front of me. Johan helped us understand the game. I was a lucky guy. I'm sitting here now because I crossed paths with him. Without him, it wouldn't have been possible," concluded Guardiola.