Danny Murphy has sung the praises of Pep Guardiola ahead of today’s game with Arsenal – and highlighted something the Manchester City boss did earlier this month that left him really impressed.
City go in pursuit of three points today against the Gunners in the Premier League.
It is the biggest game of the season so far, and City have the chance to send a big message at the Etihad.
Pep is gunning for a fourth straight league title, but it will not be easy because of the challenges presented by Liverpool and Arsenal.
It has never been done before, so the Spaniard stands to make history.
Danny Murphy is not putting it past him to do it, as he raved about him ahead of today’s match…
Danny Murphy admits he loved Pep Guardiola’s exchange with Man City star Kevin De Bruyne at Liverpool
Pep is potentially the greatest manager of all-time.
One of the reasons for this is that he is constantly reinventing and innovating.
And he is not afraid to make big calls in games, and sometimes, he will do things that are completely unexpected.
this was the case earlier this month when City went to Anfield to play Liverpool. In the second-half, Pep shocked everyone when he took off Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne had made an assist in the game, but had not been playing particularly well and Pep didn’t hesitate to hook him. This led to an animated discussion between the pair one the touchline, but Murphy praised his handling of that situation.
He said (Daily Mail): “His City team are always evolving to find different ways to dominate the ball and find a weakness in the opposition. I liked his recent passionate conversation with Kevin De Bruyne after he took the player off against Liverpool.
“He might not have spoken like that with a new signing but he and Kevin know each other so well. Their exchange was real. It didn’t cross the line of discipline and actually nipped the situation in the bud.”
Pep handled De Bruyne situation well
Pep and De Bruyne arguing at Anfield was obviously lapped up by the home crowd, but the manager handled the situation well.
£55 million star De Bruyne obviously disagreed with the call. But Pep wanted more control in the game and knew he needed to get Kovacic into the game.
De Bruyne – dubbed ‘intelligent’ recently for Real Madrid star Rodrygo – is not a player who necessarily provides control. He is a risk-taker, and his passes can occasionally lead to turnovers in possession.
He is one of the best players on the planet, but that clearly does not make him exempt from being substituted if it is for the good of the team
His frustrations were understandable, because he can obviously conjure up magic. But Liverpool were in the ascendency and Pep didn’t want to risk allowing the game to continue in the same way.