Pep Guardiola, who has already won 21 trophies as a manager with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has now revealed who inspired him to become a coach.
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The Spaniard, who had a record-breaking start with his new club Manchester City, has explained the influence late Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff had on his coaching career.
"I am very lucky to be training Manchester City, and before to have coached at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but that's because of (Cruyff's) knowledge," Guardiola said at the unveiling of Cruyff's new autobiography, as quoted by Marca.
"He didn't sit there in training, he was always playing with us, only better.
"We weren't told how to do things because he showed us directly. and every training session was a master class.
"I thought I knew football, but when I met Cruyff a new world opened up before me.
"He taught us – not only me but to a generation of players – to understand football."
Cruyff, who passed away in March this year, is seen as the father of "total football", and both Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona have built their youth academies on the Dutchman's model.
"Johan had knowledge, charisma, personality, and you followed him," Guardiola, who came through Barca's famous La Masia academy, added.
"He was the boldest coach I've ever met, someone who smelled the talent.
"I have no doubt that we will continue talking about him and the decisive influence he has had on two generations: Ajax and Barcelona players, who are now coaches.
"The impact on us all is not comparable to anything."
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Do you think Cruyff is one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game? Have your say in the comments section below.
