Kingsley Coman and Riyad Mahrez open up on Pep Guardiola’s tactical instructions for wingers | OneFootball

Fans have been handed a fascinating insight into the tactical instructions given to wingers by Pep Guardiola, courtesy of two former stars of the Catalan coach.

As Manchester City continue to evolve tactically under Guardiola, some of the key principles that have shaped his philosophy across clubs and eras are being laid bare by former players.

The winger position in particular has undergone radical transformation under Guardiola’s stewardship, and now two of the most technically gifted wide players he has coached have lifted the lid on the manager’s expectations and creative licence afforded to attackers.

Kingsley Coman, who worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich, and Riyad Mahrez, a treble winner with the Catalan at Manchester City, both appeared in a new conversation with CARRÉ’s Raphaël Domenach.

Their comments offer rare and compelling detail into the demands Guardiola places on his wingers, and how – unlike many coaches – he actively builds match plans around giving them decisive opportunities.

Coman and Mahrez have both thrived under Pep Guardiola’s watch in different leagues and at different stages of their careers. While Coman burst onto the scene as a raw, rapid dribbler, Mahrez arrived at Manchester City as a polished Premier League star from Leicester City, and was refined even further into a tactical weapon.

“My entire career I was told I dribble too much, but when Pep Guardiola arrived at Bayern, he was the first coach in my life that told me: ‘We made the entire gameplan so that the wingers can be 1v1. It’s your job to make a difference… if you don’t, you’re out'”, the Frenchman said.

Continuing the discussion, Raphaël Domenach asked, “How was it with you, Riyad?”

The Algeria international agreed as he explained, “It’s true! That’s it. He let you have this freedom. There were so many good players around you, we had such great chemistry. It was incredible!”

These admissions echo what City supporters have often speculated about Guardiola’s approach to wide players. From Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling to Jack Grealish, Mahrez, and most recently Jérémy Doku, City’s attacking width has long been a defining feature of their tactical identity.

The manager’s insistence on maintaining width through touchline-hugging wingers often gives these players both the responsibility and space to thrive in one-on-one scenarios, and these comments now confirm that this is by design, not accident.

As City enter the 2025/26 season, that philosophy remains central. The arrival of Rayan Cherki could see Guardiola once again apply his 1v1 principles in wide areas. Doku’s development also aligns with this winger-centric model, while the club continues to nurture young talents like Oscar Bobb, who has shown flashes of match-winning capability in tight spaces.

The insights from Coman and Mahrez also offer broader relevance as Guardiola’s influence continues to ripple through global football. With City’s Academy regularly developing attacking talent that suits his system, such as the now first-team integrated Nico O’Reilly, these tactical philosophies could form a lasting legacy in the next generation of winger development.