MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 22:30:40| >> :120:16200:16200:

Pep Guardiola: 'I would give up trophies for the chance to play again'

The Spaniard has won 29 cups as a manager but would rather be playing at the top level.

Pep Guardiola admits he would trade in his managerial achievements for a chance to play again at the top level.

The Manchester City boss, who turned 50 last month, has been one of the greatest managers of his generation, accumulating 29 trophies in a glittering career that has included spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Having recently renewed his contract until 2023, the Spaniard remains hungry for more success but he concedes life on the touchline cannot compare to how it feels on the field.

Guardiola captained Barcelona in his playing career
Pep Guardiola captained Barcelona during his playing career (Toby Melville/PA)

The former Barcelona captain said: "The pleasure for the players is incomparable – I would change right now to be a player.

"As a player you share it with your mates, the moments in the training session and the locker room.

"The manager has his staff and it is OK but you celebrate it in a different way. In the 90 minutes we can shout and move our arms but our influence is so minimal.

"I had the feeling when I had the ball at my feet that I could control the game, I can decide what is happening. Outside you cannot.

"The pleasure to play is incomparable to being a manager. It is a way to continue to be involved in this lovely game on the other side but I would change right now to have 20 years less and still play football."

Guardiola won his 500th match since taking charge at Barcelona in 2008 as City beat Sheffield United on Saturday.

That victory was also a club record 12th in succession in all competitions for City and their eighth win in a row in the Premier League.

After a mixed start to the season, City – who have also kept clean sheets in 11 of their last 13 Premier League games – are now firmly established as the title favourites.

Yet with little turnaround between games in this condensed season, Guardiola says now is not the time to think about the wider picture, insisting his only focus is Wednesday's trip to Burnley.

"Everything can change so quickly," said Guardiola, whose side then travel to face champions Liverpool on Sunday. "Six weeks ago we were not contenders for anything, six weeks later we are contenders.

"We can drop five points in two games in three days. It has happened to other teams, so it can happen to you.

"All I am concerned about is Burnley, not the runs we have achieved, only Burnley. When you start to think about the next four, five or six fixtures you will drop points."

City are still without playmaker Kevin De Bruyne due to a hamstring injury and record goalscorer Sergio Aguero after coronavirus.

Sergio Aguero has taken a step closer to returning to action
Sergio Aguero has taken a step closer to returning to action (Clive Brunskill/PA)

Aguero has now been given the all-clear to return to training but Guardiola expects it to be some time yet before the Argentinian is back in action.

"He is still not training on the field," said Guardiola of the striker who, due to injuries and then self-isolation, has been restricted to just three starts this season.

"He started to move a little yesterday but he will need a few weeks to come back.

"He is negative, this is the most important thing, he is healthy again and now he will come back again. As the top scorer it is important for us to have him back."

ID:433423: cacheID:433423:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8143:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Burnley manager Sean Dyche pictured on January 24, 2021
Read Next:
Sean Dyche not concerned about lack of investment in transfer market
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!