A former Manchester City star has unveiled a strict rule implemented by Pep Guardiola on his first day, likening the experience to being treated like a child.
Upon Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager took the helm at City, replacing Manuel Pellegrini. Under his leadership, the club has achieved unparalleled success, clinching every major trophy available, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.
In a recent interview, ex-City player Bacary Sagna disclosed the rule introduced by Guardiola on his inaugural day that left players feeling reminiscent of their youth.
Sagna expressed, “Pep Guardiola, to me, is the reference as a coach because you need to be very disciplined. It’s not just about what happens on the pitch; it’s about adopting a disciplined lifestyle in every aspect, including nutrition throughout the week. For instance, if you’re 1kg over your weight, you’re out of the team!”
Further elaborating, Sagna revealed, “He arrived at Man City and cut off the WiFi in the dressing room, creating an environment akin to that of a child. Initially, it’s unsettling because you think, ‘I’m not a child…I don’t need to go through all of this.’
But then you understand why they achieved the treble last year because everyone is disciplined, and everyone has the right mindset. If you don’t, you’re out.”
As City defends their treble this season, Guardiola emphasized ahead of their Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen, “We respect Copenhagen and their style of play. The Champions League is the Champions League. The top eight teams in Europe [will advance to the next round]. We aim to reach the quarter-finals again, and that’s our target. We’re not far from achieving it.”
