Barcelona legend Carles Puyol backs Man City boss Guardiola to win the Champions League again

‘I’m convinced he will win it again’: Barcelona legend Carles Puyol backs Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to win the Champions League… and hails his former coach as the ‘best in the world’

  • Carles Puyol is ‘convinced’ Pep Guardiola will win the Champions League again 
  • The Manchester City boss once the trophy twice with Puyol and Barcelona 
  • City could face a two-year ban from the Champions League for breaking FFP
  • Puyol hailed Man City boss Guardiola as the ‘best coach in the world’  

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has backed his former coach Pep Guardiola to win the Champions League again, after news that Manchester City could face a two-year ban from the competition. 

Puyol, 41, explained how he is ‘convinced’ that Guardiola will add a third Champions League accolade to his already glistening trophy cabinet. However, he may have to wait a little time if City don’t go all the way this year, as the Citizens face a possible two-year ban from UEFA to compete in the Champions League for breaking FFP rules. 

The Spaniard, who spent his whole career playing for Barcelona, claimed that Guardiola is the best coach in the world and should easily lift the big ears once again.  

Carles Puyol is ‘convinced’ his former boss Pep Guardiola will win the Champions League again

Puyol played for Barcelona his whole career including Guardiola's Champions League winners

Puyol played for Barcelona his whole career including Guardiola’s Champions League winners

Manchester City could face a two-year ban from the Champions League for breaking FFP rules

Manchester City could face a two-year ban from the Champions League for breaking FFP rules

‘For me, Pep is the best coach I had and the best coach in the world,’ Puyol said to Goal and SPOX. 

‘You can immediately tell that a team is coached by Pep by the way it plays. That’s why I’m convinced he will win that title again.

‘I can’t say whether it will be with Manchester City, but they will focus a lot on that competition as it is practically impossible to catch Liverpool in the Premier League.’

Manchester City have been unsuccessful in their Premier League title defence this season with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool 22 points ahead after 27 matches. 

City beat Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, but Puyol believes there are other strong contenders for this season’s prize.  

City are 22 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League with their title defence all but over

City are 22 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League with their title defence all but over

Manchester City beat Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie

Manchester City beat Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie

‘Bayern are always among the favourites,’ he explained. ‘They have an experienced team and will certainly be motivated to win that title again. In the knockout stage, the little details are decisive – I know that from my own experience. Whoever is the most focused and stable will progress.’ 

‘Barcelona and Madrid always have great teams with extraordinary players. Still, it’s correct that they haven’t played as consistently as we’re used to.

‘Both have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey, so there are only two chances left to win a title. The decisive weeks of the season have arrived with the knockout stages in the Champions League, the Clasico and the final stages of La Liga.

‘We will see what answers the teams come up with for the challenges that await. Of course, I hope Barca will win it, but at the moment everything is wide open.’

 

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