On Becoming the New Barcelona Manager, Pep Guardiola Speaks

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has backed Mikel Arteta’s choice to accept the assistant coach role at Arsenal rather than remain at the Etihad.

Guardiola said that if he had been in Arteta’s shoes, particularly if the call came from Barcelona, he would not have reacted any differently.

The Spaniard said that if he had been an assistant someplace and had been called up by Barcelona to manage them, he would have immediately returned home.

Before Friday night’s FA Cup fourth-round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola made a statement.

At the Etihad, Arteta served as Guardiola’s assistant. In 2019, he departed Manchester City to join the Arsenal coaching staff.

Guardiola recalled that Arteta celebrated every goal at City when he served as his assistant, with the exception of the ones scored against Arsenal.

He adored Arsenal. Similar to how I feel about Barça. If Barca phoned and I was an assistant coach, I would go because it’s my club,” he said.