BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Bernardo Silva would fit into any team. He’s simply too good.” Those were the words of Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester City manager who not only built a friendship with the Portuguese midfielder that goes beyond football, but also won every major trophy alongside him.
Spending a few days in Barcelona on holiday following his departure from City, the Catalan coach inaugurated a tennis court named in his honor at La Salle Manresa, the school he attended before joining Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
The 31-year-old Portuguese international, now a free agent after his contract with City expired, has been linked with several clubs, including Barcelona, who are reportedly keen on signing him as well as Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, another player Guardiola previously coached at City.
“He’s also a very strong player,” Guardiola said briefly when asked about Álvarez.
Speaking about Barcelona, who ended the season by winning La Liga, Guardiola added: “The team is doing very well. Beyond the results, the last two seasons have been extraordinary because of the football they play. It’s a pleasure to watch them. I’m a great admirer of Hansi Flick and his way of working, and I hope he stays here for many years.”
Guardiola also joked about his own future and declined to comment on rumors linking him with the Italian national team under the federation’s new leadership.
“I’ll go back to studying at La Salle, where I studied as a child, and become a teacher,” he joked. “Managing a national team? I want to take a break for a while and then I’ll see what I want to do. Right now, I don’t even know myself.”
The Catalan coach also sought to reassure Barcelona supporters, many of whom struggled to accept the club’s Champions League quarter-final elimination despite winning La Liga. “Sometimes this competition can destroy projects, and in this case I hope that doesn’t happen,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t win it, but people shouldn’t think everything is negative because of that. Many factors come into play. You need to be in top form during the final stages, avoid injuries, and sometimes a single unfortunate incident or a refereeing mistake can change everything”.
“The important thing is that the day-to-day work remains positive, that the team continues to grow, and that people don’t think the season was a failure just because we didn’t reach or win the Champions League final. League titles are what lay the foundations for a successful season.”
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
