The idea that Pep Guardiola coaches the flair out of players is wide of the mark | OneFootball

For the longest time, there has been this prevailing view that Pep Guardiola coaches the flair out of players. Jack Grealish has been used as an example of this. It is often thought that the Manchester City manager is solely focused on controlling games and possession. But when you dig deeper this view is wide of the mark. Looking at Guardiola’s time as manager of City it couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not hard to debunk that particular view on closer inspection.

Up until two of the past three of Manchester City’s matches Jeremy Doku and Savinho have played on the wings for Pep Guardiola’s side. At times they can be frustrating due to their age and immaturity as players. If Pep Guardiola coached the flair out of their game what would they offer? They’re flamboyant wingers whose strengths are beating their man. Take that away they wouldn’t offer anything. They aren’t players who are selected to only control possession and grind teams into submission. That’s the first Pep Guardiola selection that debunks the lack of flair theory.

You can also use Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling as examples of this. Riyad Mahrez is another. They stuck to their position out wide as Guardiola demanded. But they also played to their strengths. That’s what made them such dangerous and valuable attacking weapons under Pep Guardiola. So once again the Guardiola coaches the flair out of players notion doesn’t hold water.

There are also Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to consider in this equation. Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan are two others. Each of the players listed are creative players and three of the four were consistent goal threats. If Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva didn’t play with flair and creativity they wouldn’t have become the players they were under Pep Guardiola. David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have been the creative heart beat of Pep Guardiola’s side. Ilkay Gundogan became a City legend with his goal scoring and his late forward runs from midfield. Phil Foden outside of this season is one of Manchester City’s biggest goal threats outside of Erling Haaland. So once again Pep Guardiola doesn’t coach the flair out of players and force them to be rigid in his system.

Yes Pep Guardiola wants his players to play in their positions and work within the framework of his tactical set up. Which manager doesn’t? But he doesn’t coach the flair out of his players. There are too many examples of creative players that have thrived under Guardiola. Without the flair players Pep Guardiola and Manchester City wouldn’t have been as successful. That’s the reality of it all when you look at Guardiola’s tenure as Manchester City manager.