Pep salutes Venables' vision at 80s-era Barca

Pep Guardiola paid tribute to "incredible" Terry Venables on Monday as the Manchester City manager responded to the death of the boss responsible for revitalizing his former club Barcelona.

After Venables died on Sunday aged 80, a picture emerged on social media showing Guardiola gazing up in admiration at him on the pitch at Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Guardiola was a wide-eyed 15-year-old learning his trade in Barca's youth academy back then, with the photo capturing him during his role as a ballboy for his club's European Cup semifinal victory over Gothenburg in 1986.

Guardiola has his arms raised in celebration while Venables soaks in the acclaim of the crowd as he is carried on the shoulders of two Barca players.

"As a Barcelona fan he gave us the first La Liga (title) after 11 years. His impact there was incredible," Guardiola told reporters on Monday.

"He introduced something that had never been before, especially a certain type of pressing and the set pieces. I remember how many goals our central defender scored. It's a big loss to English football."

Guardiola went on to captain Barca and is regarded one of their greatest managers, but the Spanish giant was not so dominant when Venables took charge in 1984.

Venables led Barca to its first La Liga title in 11 years in 1985 and took it to the European Cup final a year later before a shock defeat to Steaua Bucharest on penalties.

Guardiola might not have played for Venables, who went on to manage Tottenham and England, but he is well aware of the charismatic coach's impact on his old club.

"I was only a ballboy but the impact in that time on the way they played. I remember talking to friends of mine who played with him and their words for him not just as a manager but as a person," Guardiola said.

"He was so funny, singing Frank Sinatra on Catalan shows. He was a proper, proper man."

'I have the energy'

Guardiola was speaking on the eve of City's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Just one point from its last two games would ensure City finishes top of Group G, which allows it the advantage of playing its last-16, second leg at home.

The holder won its first four group matches and has already secured a place in the knockout stages, as has Leipzig.

"It is important to finish first. We believe that when we play the last 16, having the second leg at home is not decisive but is a little bit of an advantage and we have to take it," Guardiola said.

After winning the treble last season, successive draws against Chelsea and Liverpool have seen Arsenal knock City off the top of the Premier League, but Guardiola is happy with his players' hunger.

"We are performing really well, we must continue that. I'm very pleased with our performances in general," he said.

"The only game we conceded a lot of chances and goals was Chelsea. Our averages in other games are similar to last season."

Asked if City's relentless appetite for success would persuade him to extend his stay at the club beyond his current contract, which expires in 2025, Guardiola said: "I have energy. Of course it's a possibility.

"One year and a half is a long time in football. I arrived eight years ago with hair and look what happened!"

City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who has been out since hamstring surgery in August, said over the weekend he hopes to return to action early in the new year.

"He has had a tough injury and surgery. He has to recover well," Guardiola said. "He's said the end of December, new year, so it will be a happy new year for everyone."

AFP