English football bids farewell to Guardiola, hailed as a transformative genius | OneFootball

English football bids farewell to Pep Guardiola, widely hailed as a genius and a transformative figure. In Manchester, a stand at the Etihad is to be named in his honour.

He took his leave on Sunday in the season’s final match, a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa that also served to farewell Bernardo Silva and John Stones. The Etihad responded with emotion, banners and songs.

The Times wrote that he has changed English football from top to bottom. The Guardian said his influence has altered the game’s global landscape, as true in England as anywhere. The BBC noted his ideas have reshaped everything from the Premier League to semi-professional and grassroots levels.

Across divisions, teams now build from the back, centre-backs split wide, full-backs step inside and the false 9 is familiar. The old long ball and second-ball hunt have receded.

Guardiola has constantly evolved, embracing rapid counter-attacks and reassigning roles, and English football has shaped him too. His relentless competitive hunger, targeting every competition, has proved infectious. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery called him “the only true genius”.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo