
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Pep Guardiola said on Friday (Jan 18) that clubs he has coached in the past were involved in spying on their opponents after Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to using espionage tactics.
The Manchester City manager made clear he has not been involved in any such activity during his time in England, adding that he did not direct staff to spy on other teams while coaching in Spain and Germany.
He did, however, acknowledge that the sort of tactics used by Bielsa are common outside of England.
Bielsa, the former Argentina, Chile and Marseille head coach, admitted earlier this week that he had spied on all of Leeds' opponents in the Championship this season, after a member of his staff was apprehended at Derby County's training ground.
Guardiola has long been an admirer of Bielsa, saying recently that "everyone who works with him is a better player" and added that his opinion on the Leeds coach had not changed.
The City manager, who had four years in charge at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich, was asked twice at a press conference if he had ever spied on other teams.
He did not deny it but suggested that he had not led any such activity.
"In other countries, everyone does it, everybody does that," he said.
"The clubs are open. I was training at Munich, there were people with cameras watching what we do. Everybody does that."
SPY CULTURE
"It's the culture at other clubs, not just the previous one I was at. Whether it's now or in the future it's part of the club. Not because I said you have to do that. It was part of the culture of the clubs and the leagues," he said.
Guardiola, whose defending champions visit bottom side Huddersfield in the Premier League on Sunday, added that he fully respected that such activity is frowned upon in England.
"I'm not going to send anyone to spy on Huddersfield," he said.
Â
The City manager indicated that the spying controversy surrounding Leeds was only a small part of a wider culture, in which "everyone wants to know everything".
He added: "That's not just football, it's society. Everyone is spying on everyone. They want to see what happens in the personal lives of this man or woman. They want the gossip. Everywhere is like this. It's not exceptional in football."
During a press conference to explain himself on Wednesday, Bielsa indicated that, as Athletic Bilbao coach, he had done in-depth research before the 2012 Copa de Rey final against Guardiola's Barcelona.
Even though Bilbao lost 3-0 Guardiola suggested immediately after the game that Bielsa's knowledge of Barcelona was even greater than his own.
The City manager, though, was satisfied that Bielsa had not sent anyone to spy on his team's training sessions at that time.
He said on Friday: "Barca was a bunker - it was impossible, like here (at City), but that's a true story." Guardiola said he was impressed with the way Bielsa studied opponents.
"No manager around the world works with this information, they analyse one or two games.
"In the world he's unique but the most important thing I learned about what he said was that football belongs to the players, they make the difference, that's what I agree with most over what he said."
Guardiola has indicated that France full-back Benjamin Mendy is close to returning from a knee injury but will not be available for the Huddersfield match.

Football: The great comebacks in Champions League history

Laurent Blanc singled out Angel Di Maria for praise after Paris Saint-Germain pushed Real Madrid all the way in Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat. PSG were the better side prior to Nacho's
Paris Sg News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Roster - soccer - MSN

The three key positions Arsenal must spend their £40m budget on this summer and who to sign. The Gunners have a limited budget after missing out on Champions League football again so who could they target to make the most of their millions?
Unai Emery: Some Arsenal players must leave after Europa

REUTERS: Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1 draw is all the more remarkable given what is at stake for the
Arsene Wenger hails Marcelo Bielsa' sportsmanship as Leeds

Complacency and despondency. there is no room for complacency or despair in our faith The complacent Christian has no great love for God and no real
No room for complacency - KPMG Global

Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup. (AFP) — Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said yesterday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup

Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town Soccer Football - Premier League - Huddersfield Town v Southampton - John Smiths Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - December 22, 2018 Southamptons Nathan Redmond in action with Huddersfield Towns Terence Kongolo REUTERS/Andrew Yates (Reuters) - HU
Uk | Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town - Soccer

SINGAPORE - An employee of Singapore Premier League club Hougang United has been charged over the loss of more than $250,000 from their clubhouse operations. While working as an admin assistant, Malaysian Tean Tai Tee allegedly misappropriated $278,200. The 24-year-old woman was arrested and charged in court on Dec 16, 2018 with one count of
S$278,200 missing from Hougang United Football Club; employee

Tunisian media reported that officials were aware before the match that the VAR (video assistant referee) system was Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR
Tunisian club win African title after final abandoned over VAR

Solari believes in VAR as Real claim slim win at Ajax

GOLTV is a Soccer focused Cable network which serves both the English and Spanish speaking soccer fans in the United States. GolTV USA - Rangers out of Europa League, Eintracht fans run riot at Lazio Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday after falling 1-0 at Rapid Vienna, while crowd trouble sparked by Eintracht Frankfurt fans
Rangers Out Of Europa League, Eintracht Fans Run Riot At

Manchester United announced on Friday that midfielder Marouane Fellaini has left the club to join China's Shandong Luneng on a permanent transfer. The Belgium international, 31, arrived at Old
Marouane Fellaini leaves Man Utd for China's Shandong | New
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen