Pep Guardiola was described as a creative and technically gifted midfielder in his days, and he remains one of the best coaches at the moment despite experiencing drought in his first English Premier League (EPL) season.
The Manchester City coach showed off his quality as one of the best managers soon after he became manager at the Etihad Stadium, winning 10 consecutive games.
Image: Pep Guardiola
Although his team ended their 2016-17 campaign with 15 points behind league champions Chelsea, the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach recently signed a new contract which will keep him at the club for eight seasons.
Yaya Toure revealed in an interview that Pep has set his bars very high for next season, adding that coach expects to win every game he plays.
The 34-year-old Ivorian said his manager will be “a man on a mission” next season.
In an interview with Sky Sports News HQ, the 4-time African Footballer of the Year who just signed a one-year contract with City, said: “Next year, for sure, he is going to try to challenge for everything as much as possible.
“You can see it in his eyes. He’s not happy at all in himself.”
Image: Pep Guardiola
“We know it is going to be difficult but we are going to put in all the effort because next year, if you are not fit enough and you come with a different mentality, he can smell that and you are going to be in big trouble.
“That’s for sure. With him, there is no room for excuses.”
City are making efforts to strengthen their squad against upcoming challenges. Benjamin Mendy [Monaco’s full back], Virgil van Dijk [a midfielder from Southampton], as well as Kyle Walker [Tottenham right-back] and super forward Alexis Sanchez, who plays for Arsenal, have been identified as possible recruits.
Toure also expressed hopes that the named players will strike deals soonest and join hands with his 46-year-old coach to increase City’s options next season.
The former captain of Ivory Coast national team continued: “I am just a football player but like you guys I have been delighted to hear some of the news.
“What I know about this club is there is something very important happening because the club want to move one step forward again like they usually do every year.
Image: Yaya Toure
“For a player like that wants to win trophies and be in a strong squad with a great manager, it is something special.
“I think next year is going to be exciting. I hope we are going to win a couple of trophies and it is going to be fantastic.”
Yaya Toure played for Olympiacos and AS Monaco before moving over to Barcelona in 2007.
He earned over 70 caps for La Blaugranas, and was part of the historic 2009 side which won six trophies in a one year.
Toure’s agent had a widely publicized contract issue with Pep, and the player suffered for that misunderstanding. The midfielder was taken out of favor until last November when he returned to first team action, playing 31 times for City and scoring a total of 7 goals.
“When I was first coming here I was trying to be part of a new story, of something special at this club,” the footballer said at that time.
“I am very lucky now to be part of a great club with great players around me who are helping me to achieve my targets.”
