8 Interesting facts about Pep Guardiola you should know

• Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest football managers of all time
• The 53-year-old was also a great player during his days and captained Barcelona for several years
• He won the La Liga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey in his first season as a manager at Barcelona

One of the greatest football managers of all time, there are several facts about Pep Guardiola every fan should know. Guardiola is the current manager of Premier League club Manchester City and has achieved great success since joining the club. He made history at the end of last season when he led the Cytizens to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph, winning the treble in the process.

Prior to joining City, Guardiola managed FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich and also won titles with those clubs. The 53-year-old was also a great player during his days and is best known for his time with Barcelona. With that said, let’s take a look at several facts about Pep Guardiola you should know:

Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful football managers and has won trophies at FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. He led City to their first-ever Champions League victory last season. Photo/ Times of India.

1.  Guardiola Was The Captain Of Barcelona For Several Years 

As already mentioned, Pep Guardiola was a professional footballer before becoming a manager. During his playing days, he captained Barcelona from 1997 until his departure from the club in 2001. He then had stints with Brescia and Roma in Italy, Al-Ahli in Qatar and Dorados in Mexico before ending his playing career.

2. Guardiola Began His Coaching Journey At La Masia

After making the decision that he wants to become a manager, Pep Guardiola returned to his boyhood club FC Barcelona and joined the famed La Masia academy as a coach. It was with the reserve team that he made a name for himself as a coach when he achieved promotion in his only season in charge.

3. Won The Treble In His First Season As Barcelona Manager

Pep Guardiola’s appointment as the manager of Barcelona ushered a golden era of success as he led the Catalans to treble triumph in his first season at the club. The 53-year-old became the first Spanish manager in history to achieve such a feat.

By guiding Barca to victory in the Champions League, Guardiola became the youngest manager in history to win the prestigious trophy.

Pep Guardiola. Photo/ FC Barcelona.

4. Guardiola Speaks Multiple Languages 

Next on interesting facts about Pep Guardiola is he is fluent in speaking multiple languages. The legendary manager used to run his press conferences in three languages at Camp Nou: Spanish, Catalan and Italian. He has now added German and English to that list, which shows his linguistic competence.

5. Guardiola Is A Family Man 

Guardiola married his wife Cristina Serra on 29 May 2014. Serra’s family owns a fashion store called Serra Claret in Barcelona, and that’s where she met with Guardiola at the age of 18. As of now, they are blessed with children – Maria, Marius and Valentina.

6. He Is An Atheist 

Although most Spaniards are Catholic, Pep Guardiola prefers to be part of a quarter of Spanish people who do not practice religion. Well, this contrary to his fellow manager and friend Jurgen Klopp, who is a Christian.

Facts about Pep Guardiola. Photo/ TEAMtalk.

7. Guardiola Loves Golf

During an honest chat on the Tubes & Ange Golf Life YouTube channel, Pep Guardiola claimed that he loves golf. According to Daily Mail, Guardiola said he loves golf because there are no referees which makes it the most honest sport in the world. Back in 2012, he attended the ‘Miracle in Medinah’ on the invitation of professional golf player Jose Maria Olazabal.

8. It Is Guardiola’s Wife Who Chooses For Him What To Wear

Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra. Guardiola met Serra when she was 18 and the couple has since been together. Photo/ CNN.

Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the best dressed managers in the football world. The Spanish manager has cultivated a unique fashion style which he credits his wife for. During an interview with Sky Sports, he revealed that it is actually his wife, Cristina Serra, who picks his outfits.