‘We cannot compare the pressure in England to Spain' — Pep Guardiola on Xavi's Barcelona exit
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Pep Guardiola and Xavi || Getty image

‘We cannot compare the pressure in England to Spain' — Pep Guardiola on Xavi's Barcelona exit

Faruq Ibrahim 22:53 - 30.01.2024

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola corroborates Xavi Hernandez's claim of the toxic nature of Barcelona media.

Pep Guardiola addressed the situation surrounding Xavi Hernandez's planned departure from Barcelona, stating the difference between Spain and England.

Barcelona's head coach, Xavi Hernandez, announced his resignation following the team's 5-3 defeat against Villarreal, and this has been one of the biggest talking points in football recently. 

Manchester City and ex-Barcelona manager Guardiola weighed in on this topic during his pre-match presser ahead of the clash with Burnley. 

Contrasting Realities: England vs. Spain

Guardiola drew a stark distinction between the demands of coaching in England and Spain, shedding light on the unique pressures encountered in each setting. He emphasised, "We cannot compare the pressure in England to Spain, in my experience. It's 1,000x tougher there."

In elaborating on the disparities, Guardiola highlighted the frequency of media interactions, stating, "Six press conferences a week, a lot of games." This relentless cycle places immense strain on coaches, leaving little respite from the spotlight and magnifying the stakes with each passing fixture.  

Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
Pep Guardiola at Barcelona

Guardiola also underscored the unique pressure associated with managing a club like Barcelona. He remarked, "The pressure you feel in Barcelona is not comparable to anywhere else." This sentiment speaks to the immense expectations ingrained in the club's rich history and fervent fan base, where success is not just desired but demanded.

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