KEOWN: You can see the Guardiola Effect… he is the very best of all time

It was on the Arsenal coaching floor when Barcelona got here to work, earlier than taking part in in a Champions League ultimate at Wembley. I stayed behind, watching from a window — I needed to see what I may study them.

Perfect pitches, throughout 150 acres, stretching out so far as the attention may see, however Pep Guardiola selected the smallest of them, proper subsequent to the constructing. It was an space usually reserved for goalkeepers however he arrange what seemed to be an 11-a-side recreation in a cramped space.

A quick session of keep-ball adopted. Pop-pop-pop the ball went. Immaculate management, cross it shortly earlier than you’re closed down. Pop-pop-pop.

He then took to a second pitch, a bigger pitch. A sign from him and his gamers sprinted over for a possession-based session.

Another sign and it was taking pictures follow. He was grabbing gamers by their shirts, even Lionel Messi. Pep and his teaching employees had been roughing up the forwards, creating resistance as they had been making an attempt to attain. It was a privilege to look at him work up shut.

If I’m choosing my biggest supervisor of all time, Pep Guardiola needs to be high of the listing

Guardiola has created the very best crew we’ve seen on these islands together with his teaching strategies. Here he shares the joyous moments with Kevin De Bruyne (left) and Phil Foden (proper)

It occurred to me how huge Wembley should have felt after the tight area he had used at our coaching base. And it labored, as Barca took Manchester United to the cleaners in that 2011 ultimate.

Since coming right here in 2016, that is the person who has remodeled English soccer. He has created the very best crew we’ve seen on these islands together with his teaching and strategies of play.

I lately commented on Match of the Day about Manchester City’s 5 trophies, all lined up, a present of dominance and pressure. If I had been nonetheless competing in opposition to them, I’d wish to stumble and unintentionally knock one over.

But I do like what they’ve created. The approach City’s gamers celebrated along with their supervisor after successful at Newcastle of their final recreation. A band of brothers, a crew united.

A logo of their togetherness — and there he was. Pep, proper in the midst of it. I preferred that. It regarded pure. If I’m choosing my biggest supervisor, he needs to be No 1. Then there are Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp.

His Barcelona crew took Man United to the cleaners within the 2011 Champions League ultimate

Since coming right here in 2016, Guardiola is the person who has remodeled English soccer

Guardiola is my No 1. Then there are Sir Alex Ferguson (left), Arsene Wenger (centre left), Jose Mourinho (centre proper) and Jurgen Klopp (proper). I’m not itemizing them one to 5

I’m not itemizing them one to 5. There are 4 who’re very shut — after which Guardiola. Critics would possibly say he has the large funds and the very best gamers, however he’s utilizing it to a most.

His model is rippling via English soccer. Teams from right here to the far reaches of the land, even in Sunday pub leagues, are taking part in out from the again. Beat the press, preserve the ball, use it shortly. The Guardiola Effect. It will stay lengthy within the reminiscence.

I rewatched City’s final recreation in opposition to Newcastle for this text. Remember, on this recreation, with City trailing 2-1, two substitutes scored to win the three factors. Two adjustments Guardiola made.

When he was dropping, he didn’t panic. He regarded round at his bench and will see Kevin De Bruyne. His greatest participant, simply again from a nasty damage. Did he deliver him on at half-time? No. He waited. He waited. It would possibly nicely have been driving him loopy however he timed the choice completely.

Within 5 minutes, De Bruyne had scored after which he laid on the winner for Oscar Bobb. The cross was so good, it was like a handwritten invitation to attain.

I’ve a soccer ways whiteboard at house and I’ve taken out my chess set alongside it on the kitchen desk to attempt to work out the actions of Guardiola’s crew. When he was in America on a yr’s sabbatical, he hung out with chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov. I think about Pep utilizing that point to be taught.

Guardiola’s model is rippling via English soccer and we should respect it whereas we are able to

The BBC’s new documentary, Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection, will air on BBC1 at 10.40pm

In chess, as with soccer, it’s a must to management the board. Who are the rooks within the City crew shifting vertically or horizontally via unoccupied squares? Who is their king? De Bruyne, most likely. Or Erling Haaland? Bernardo Silva? Ederson?

In a theatre of noise, Guardiola is all the time calculating his subsequent transfer into area. It is how he continues to redefine the boundaries, it’s how he stays No 1.

It takes me again to the coaching pitch at Arsenal that day. We are seeing one thing particular. We should respect it for he received’t be within the Premier League for ever.

Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection – Tonight: BBC1, 10.40pm