Pep Guardiola spent just a couple of years as a footballer in Italy, but that was enough time to build a solid relationship with the country and its people.
Barcelona legend Guardiola played for Roma and Brescia in Serie A.
Still, his short spell in the country was enough to build solid bonds with fellow footballers, coaches, club directors and ordinary people who are still close friends of (probably) the best football coach ever.
Guardiola is the only football coach who completed a treble twice, first with Barcelona and then with Manchester City. International football bets, including Scommesse sul calcio su 1Bet, naturally see the Spanish tactician as one of the favourites to win the Champions League this term. However, a new format for Europe’s elite competition means there will be much more unpredictability, and Guardiola’s Man City were already held to a 0-0 draw by Inter in Round 1.
Before and after the match, Guardiola replied to many questions from reporters in perfectly fluent Italian, highlighting how he made the most of his time in the country from any possible point of view.
Guardiola built new friendships and identified new tactical approaches, especially at Brescia, where he knew the legendary Carlo Mazzone, one of the most influential people in his private and personal life.
“The first time I saw Mazzone, I was in the stands when he ran towards the Atalanta fans. He was a real old-school coach, all instinct. This is life, if I hadn’t gone to Brescia, I would not have known Mazzone,” Guardiola told Che Tempo Che Fa in October 2024.
“Places are beautiful, but what you really remember are the people you encounter.
“I was accustomed to winning league titles, but at Brescia it was a celebration every time we won a game. I don’t regret it at all, I got to know a situation I was not familiar with and it was one of the best periods of my life.
“I thought Roby Baggio was a very serious person, but really, he was the life and soul of the locker room. It was a really strong team.”
Guardiola played with the Italian legend at Brescia, and the duo was recently reunited for a dinner in the Lombard city, including another ex-Brescia star, Luca Toni.
During the dinner, Toni, Baggio, and Guardiola spoke about the beautiful game and the good old times while enjoying exquisite Italian food and wines. It was an excellent moment for Pep to remember his time in the country and, perhaps, consider a return to the Peninsula one day.
During his latest appearance on Italian TV, the Spanish tactician replied to a question about a possible return to Italy as a coach: “If Baggio accompanies me as assistant manager, maybe yes!” Well, never say never.