- Noel Gallagher praises Guardiola’s tactical innovation
- Oasis star highlights several transformed players
- Guardiola’s changes continue to impress
Noel Gallagher has opened up on why he believes Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach continues to separate him from other managers in world football.
Pep Guardiola’s influence at Man City has been undeniable. The Catalan manager is probably the best Etihad has ever seen.
Guardiola has won 19 titles with the English giants and changed English football since his arrival. His influence extends so far that City’s title rivals, Arsenal, are led by his former disciple, Mikel Arteta.
You don’t have to be a football tactician to realise that the game has changed following Guardiola’s rise. For lifelong Man City fan Noel Gallagher, however, it was obvious once the manager set foot in England.
Noel Gallagher on Pep Guardiola’s influence
While discussing Guardiola’s influence on the City players, the English singer praised the manager’s ability to transform them with small tactical adjustments.
A prime example for Gallaghar was John Stones, who was the Man of the Match in the 2022/23 Champions League final.
“You know, he turned John Stones from a centre-half, admittedly he was good on the ball, to being the man of the match in the Champions League final playing in midfield from centre-half. That is mind-blowing,” Gallagher told TNT Sports on Roll the Tape with Noel & Darren.
The musician also mentioned Fabian Delph and Matheus Nunes, both players who’ve changed under Guardiola’s influence.
“He turned Fabian Delph into a, not to do him any disservice, but you know, like an average English midfielder into a world-class left-back. You know, why he signed [Nunes], [I] was like, why have you got all these midfielders? Turns out he’s now one of the best right-backs in the country,” Gallagher added.
Noel Gallagher labels Guardiola a “mad professor”
Likewise, Gallagher didn’t stop there, quoting one of his own lyrics to explain Guardiola’s vision of the game.
For the singer, it’s about how, apparently, one manager changed the game from just scoring goals to playing a certain way.
“He sees, to quote one of my own lyrics, you know, ‘he sees things we’ll never see,’ do you know what I mean? And that’s the mark of like a mad professor,” Gallagher said.
He added: “Could you be a**** about football? Get the ball, stick it in the net, that’s it, put it back on the centre circle, let’s go. It’s like, no, you’ve got to play six inches further this way and the way you receive the ball, and it’s fascinating stuff.”
Guardiola’s player transformations continue to amaze supporters
The latest play transformation case is of Mathues Nunes. Guardiola has turned a central midfielder into a functional right-back.
The Portuguese international has 5.21 recoveries per 90 in the Premier League this season, ranking in the top 10.1% of right-backs.
He also has strong numbers when it comes to total defensive contributions (175), tackles (51) and interceptions (27).
While Gallagher’s point about Nunes being the best left-back in the country is overstated, the singer just wants to point out an ability that not many managers have.
