Mikel Arteta has given an insight into a certain trait of Pep Guardiola that the world does not get to witness.
Having worked closely with Guardiola during his time as Manchester City’s assistant coach, he had the best seat in the house to witness how arguably the best manager in the world operates behind closed doors.
Perhaps watching a true master at work for as long as Arteta did is perhaps one of the factors behind why he has managed to become a world-class manager, despite managing a club for the first time in his career.
Mikel Arteta shares Pep Guardiola trait “behind the scenes” that the world does not see
A majority of, if not every manager in the world would wish to have the privilege of learning the ropes of management under Guardiola’s guidance, as was the case with the Arsenal boss.
Last month, Wayne Rooney put his allegiances with Manchester United aside to admit that he would “walk” if he could if was offered the chance to be the assistant to the two-time treble-winning tactician.
Such is the respect that Guardiola commands from the biggest names in football.
When quizzed about how innovative Pep Guardiola is making him the best of the best, Mikel Arteta agreed and claimed that his work ethic is one of the other many reasons why he is as well.
“Yeah, one is that and because I know the passion, that he lives the game, the intelligence, the way he handles the team as well and the club and how demanding he is and then he has an incredible work ethic and that’s something that people doesn’t see but it’s a lot of work behind the scenes”, he said [via HaytersTV].
“And he’s managed to do it for three different clubs. The top, elite level, every single season and that’s a huge quality.”
Previously, Arteta had admitted that Guardiola had “transformed” him and helped him view football and life as a whole differently.
Classy from Mikel Arteta
As intense as the contest between Manchester City and Arsenal is set to be on Sunday, it seems like Mikel Arteta remains grateful for working with Pep Guardiola.
Arteta will perhaps himself admit that he owes a lot to Guardiola for how much he has already accomplished in his career.
To put that aside and paint a different picture publicly would have been quite a crass approach from the Spaniard.
But Mikel Arteta has come across like a class act in how he has spoken about his former colleague ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.
