Rodri Unveils What Makes Pep Guardiola ‘Great’ and Its Significance for Manchester City’s Success

English giants Manchester City are en route to winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title. It would be the first time a team will achieve such a feat if the Sky Blues can cross the finishing line. But one man who has been the backbone of their success story is Pep Guardiola. The Spanish manager has made a lasting impression on the sport with his immaculate trophy cabinet at a relatively young age. But in a recent revelation, Rodri explains one trait that makes Guardiola great in helping the team achieve its goals.

Guardiola has already acknowledged how tough his job can be with a regular workload. However, understanding the work-life balance of the players is one of the best codes cracked by Pep, says the former defensive midfielder. In an interview, Rodri stated, “The manager is great at giving us a day off when he can,” citing Pep’s ability to have a calming effect when needed. And who better than him to comprehend about downtime?

Notably, Rodri was a recent beneficiary when he got a match-off after demanding a break. The midfielder explained that these things are crucial to keep you going. He further said, “It is important to spend time with your family and friends when you can, go to a nice restaurant or go for a walk. All of these things can help you relax and feel rested.” Pep, on the other hand, did not even hesitate to rest his best players, like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, when needed.

However, thanks to their bench strength and Guardiola’s management of workloads, the PL holders have managed to be highly successful over the years. Nevertheless, it’s just not about physically draining, felt the former Bayern Munich manager.

Pep Guardiola gives his take on adequate resting

Pep Guardiola himself has been an advocate for giving his players a breather. This season, especially the 53-year-old, has been fighting against congested schedules demanding that federations give some gap between matches. In addition to physical rest, the Spaniard believes that a player’s mental well-being should also be given priority. He recently stated, “The human being does not have no limits. Science says you need a certain time to recover many things, not just physically–mentally as well,” after their squads’ fiery test recently.

On the other hand, having been in contention for multiple titles, Guardiola’s team has suffered repeated injuries this season. City played eight games in April, leaving players weary and injured. Their Champions League game versus Real Madrid, followed by the FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea, displayed the player’s fatigue.

But with their exit from UCL, the club will aim to finish the rest of the season on a winning note, which will be a perfect reward for enduring a daunting season.