During his interview with Sky Sport Italia, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he’d rather return to Italy on holiday than coach a Serie A club and praised Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi: ‘He’s changing English football.’
The Spanish tactician replied to questions from the Italian broadcasters following a 7-0 win over RB Leipzig in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
He didn’t only praise Napoli, saying that Luciano Spalletti’s team may be the best in Europe at the moment, but has nice words also for former Sassuolo boss De Zerbi, now in charge of Brighton.
“We have an Italian coach here, he’s called Roberto De Zerbi and he’s changing many things in English football, playing marvellous football, he is doing incredibly well,” he said.
However, when asked whether he’d return to Italy as a coach after playing for Brescia and Roma, he replied.
“I spent two years in Italy, I have many friends there, especially in Brescia. Every nice thing happening in Italy makes me happy, but I think I’ll rather go to Italy on holiday than to coach.”
Guardiola played 28 Serie A games as a footballer, scoring three goals. He has never coached a Serie A club and his contract with Manchester City expires in June 2025.