SWING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING Relaxed Pep Guardiola jokes he’d give up half his trophies for a good golf swing ahead of massive Manchester derby
PEP GUARDIOLA would swap half of his incredible trophy haul for a decent golf swing.
Posted Friday, March 04, 2022 by Thesun.co.uk
The Manchester City boss switches off from the pressures of the title race by going to the course and hitting a few balls.
Pep Guardiola has joked he'd give up half his trophies for a decent golf swing Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription
But the fact his handicap is going UP rather than down is a huge source of frustration.
Asked how he relaxes away from the game, Pep said: “Playing golf — the only thing I switch off completely.
"I don’t see people, it’s just hitting this damn ball — and you cannot hit it.
"I would change half of what I’ve achieved as a manager or player to have a decent golf swing. I’d do anything.”
That is some claim as he is already one of the most successful managers of all-time.
He has won nine domestic league titles across three different countries, two European Cups and 20 other trophies — including four consecutive EFL Cups with City.
As a player for boyhood club Barcelona, he also lifted five LaLiga titles and the European Cup.
Spanish golf legend Jose Maria Olazabal — a two-time Masters winner — is on record saying Guardiola’s game is pretty decent.
But Pep said: “Olazabal is too nice, my swing is a disaster.
"My handicap is getting worse.
"I don’t have time and the weather is so bad.
The 51-year-old certainly won’t have time to hit the course this week as he prepares for Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad.
He knows victory over neighbours United will go a fair way towards helping City to yet another Premier League title.
United’s legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson famously used to enjoy a glass of red wine with the opposing manager following a match.
When asked what his favourite part of the job is, Pep said: “The glass of wine when you win the game.
"And the toughest? You don’t sleep good after a defeat.”
Pep Guardiola's Man City face rivals Man Utd on Sunday Credit: PA
During his 5½ years in England, the City boss has often been complimented on his fashion sense.
But he admits that is all down to his missus Cristina, who runs a boutique back in Barcelona.
Cristina chose the ‘coat-igan’ he wore as his team swept to a domestic treble back in 2018-19, before auctioning it off to raise cash for the club’s charities.
Guardiola added: “My wife is so elegant, she helps me a lot. Absoutely she chooses.
"Before her I was a disaster. Now I’m elegant — thank God for her.
"All good things in my life are created by others, sometimes from my wife, sometimes from the money I have at clubs.”
Having booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-final thanks to Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Peterborough, Pep’s thoughts will have immediately switched to the derby.
He has a squad packed full of quality players, who would play every week for most teams in the Prem — but not the reigning champs.
Guardiola also believes keeping on board the stars he leaves out — or asks to sit on the bench — is key to what he has achieved at the Etihad.
He told Sky Sports: “If you are able to have the group as a unit and handle the guys who don’t play, you will be happy.
“If there is turmoil in the locker room or a mess, you’ll be unhappy and no success.”
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