Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola mapped out title win while listening to Sade and heading to Juan Mata’s restaurant
Former assistant boss Domenec Torrent revealed all of Guardiola's secrets to their record-breaking season
PITCH-PERFECT Pep Guardiola mapped out his Manchester City side’s record-breaking season while listening to Sade.
The Etihad manager and his backroom staff loved to have the 80s soul singer — or a bit of jazz — on in the background as they went about their work.
The music-mad group reckoned they could even have formed a band between them — with former assistant boss Domenec Torrent on saxophone — and vocals from Mikel Arteta.
And Guardiola would often do his homework on rivals by watching games in posh Manchester restaurant Tapeo.
Nothing unusual there, you might think. Apart from the fact it is owned by Manchester United star and Guardiola’s fellow Spaniard Juan Mata.
Guardiola and his staff also loved to dine at Brazilian restaurant Fazenda — but still have room for English favourites such as fish and chips. These are just some of the secrets revealed by Torrent, who ended his 11-year spell working with Guardiola to take charge of New York City in MLS this summer.
The Spaniard, 56, reckons Guardiola and his trusty allies are happy living and working quietly in Manchester.
Torrent said: “Pep loves music in general — and I am the same.
“We work in the office always with music on. It would just be relaxing music. Some jazz, or maybe Sade.
“Not rock music. We could create a big band, because in the Manchester staff there are least three or four who can play the guitar and piano.
“I play the saxophone, not professionally, just as a hobby.
“Mikel Arteta would be the singer. Maybe we have to create a band in New York because they have more clubs here.”
Together they made sure City hit all the right notes last season as they romped to the Premier League title with a record 100-point haul.
The Etihad coaching staff would often spend their evenings checking out their opponents on TV and chose a surprising place to do it.
Torrent said: “With Pep and Mikel, many times we went to watch the Premier League or Champions League games in Mata’s restaurant.
“We had a private room with a TV — we did it many times.
“Yes, it’s Manchester United, but it’s also Mata and he’s a friend.
“Unlike in Barcelona, it was not a problem for Pep to walk the streets or go to restaurants.
“We liked the Brazilian one too. And the Chinese at Wings — although all the walls were covered with Manchester United stuff.
“The fish and chips was amazing, traditional English, why not? You can try it in England, the speciality is fish and chips. In Munich, it’s frankfurters.”
Torrent also lifted the lid on some of the tactical plans which he believes makes Pep a genius.
City’s players struggled with his five-second rule during their first season in charge but soon got to grips with the high-pressing system. Torrent said: “When we lose the ball, it’s very important for Pep to press high in five seconds.
“If you don’t win it back within that time, then make a foul or go back.
“We had many problems when we lost the ball in that first year — and the team didn’t react quickly enough.
“We were in trouble during many games. The second year we practised the transitions a lot in training. What happens when you lose the ball? If you lose it, then regain it. Many teams go back or drop deep, we prefer to regain the ball.
“And if you are able to regain it, then attack quickly.”
Torrent, who met up with his old pal while City are on the pre-season US tour, also told how Guardiola can make changes in the blink of an eye.
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He said: “Pep is able to innovate in every single game.
“Believe me, before each game we practised two or three formation changes. It’s not easy to see it.
“For example against Everton, it was three at the back with full-backs up.
“The next game against Tottenham our system could be 4-3-3 with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling inside.
“These are small details — but they make the difference. Mentally, Pep is very fast. He can change positions on the pitch in one second.
“The opponents are saying, ‘What happened there?’ In that moment, his team is able to win the game.
“Pep is the best manager ever. He is a genius.”