Pep Guardiola began life as Manchester City manager on Sunday by dismissing any chance of signing Lionel Messi and outlining his determination to silence critics who doubt he will be able to replicate his success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Guardiola, possibly the most coveted coach in world soccer, was welcomed by an estimated 6,000 City supporters at a fan event at the club’s Etihad Stadium campus.
Presented alongside six players from across City’s various teams, in front of a screen bearing the motto “It Begins,” Guardiola was relaxed – even to the point of answering a question from a heckling fan about whether Messi would be following him to City.
“He’s not a bad player, this guy,” Guardiola responded, “but I am sorry, Messi has to stay in Barcelona for the rest of his career.”
Guardiola has won 22 trophies – including the Champions League twice – since 2008, firstly with a Messi-inspired Barcelona until 2012 and then at Bayern Munich from 2013-16.