Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was a surprise guest in the famous Italian late-night talk show ‘Che Tempo Che Fa’ (what the weather is like) during the October international break.
For those unknowing, this Italian talk show hosted by Fabio Fazio has been broadcast on Italian TV on Saturdays and Sundays from 2003 and there have been 21 seasons of the show!
Guardiola’s appearance was particularly surprising because he hardly does such lengthy interviews or appear in these dramaticized public talk shows.
But the Spaniard followed legend slike Diego Maradona and Lewis Hamilton to have a friendly and thorough interaction with Fazio on the show.
How Pep Guardiola became fluent in speaking Italian
What surprised many was how well Pep was able to converse throughout the interview in Italian.
The reason why Pep knows the language so well is because he actually played in Italy towards the end of his playing career.
Guardiola spent two years in Italy (2002-03) playing for AS Roma and Brescia, during which he was also given a doping ban.
Guardiola revealed that he became fluent in speaking Italian after listening to famous Italian rockstar Francesco di Gregori’s songs in his car.
He claimed: “La Storia sia noi is my favorite song, but I have never met him. In Italy, I also learned the bad words.”
Will Pep Guardiola become the new England manager?
The Spanish gaffer also spoke on some of the burning questions around his future and his career so far.
A major question thrown at him during the talk show was about his strong links to potentially becoming the new England manager.
The Football Association (FA) reportedly have him earmarked as an ideal replacement for Gareth Southgate and want to sway him into taking over the job.
He responded to his links to the England job by diplomatically replying: “It’s not true, in the sense that I have not decided anything and I still need to reflect. If I had already made a decision, I would’ve said so. Anything can happen.”
Pep Guardiola on extending his Man City contract
When pushed to reply on his future as Manchester City boss, he replied: “Let’s see on my future. I still need to reflect and decide what I want to do.”
Pep Guardiola calls Messi GOAT
The Spanish gaffer also couldn’t help by voice his admiration for Lionel Messi.
He continues to rate the Argentine sensation to be the greatest footballer in history, claiming: “For me, it’s easy to say he’s the greatest player of all time, but the stars aligned during that period. The strongest ever? Maybe it’s disrespectful to Pelé or Maradona, but for me, yes. I’ve never seen anyone like him. You can’t imagine someone maintaining that level of performance for 15-20 years. Seeing him up close makes you think of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. We were lucky to be their contemporaries.”
Pep Guardiola admits he’s a lifelong Barca fan
Guardiola might have left his role as Barcelona manager over a decade ago, but remains the biggest supporter of the club after coming through their system and representing them as a player and coach.
His love for the Blaugrana is so deep that Pep admits he doesn’t want Manchester City to face them in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages this season, stating: “The affection I have for them destroys me. I was born in a nearby small town, so meeting them is never easy.”
Pep Guardiola opens up on his friendship with Italy legend Roberto Baggio
Pep actually had a very short spell where he played with Italian football legend Roberto Baggio at Brescia.
Baggio was in the final stages of his football career, but that little stint with him helped Guardiola get really close to him.
Speaking about the Italian forward, Pep stated: “If I cry, then I apologise, but I get emotional when talking about Baggio. I got to know him at the end of his career when his knee was full of scars. He could barely move and still he was the best, I can only imagine what he was like during his best years. I think he earned the admiration of everyone all over the world, not just for his talent as a player, but for the rest too. There is nowhere in Italy that doesn’t love Baggio, it’s just impossible.”
Guardiola hinted that his admiration for Baggio is so much that he might even be tempted to manage a Serie A side if the Italian accompanies him, saying: “If Baggio accompanies me as assistant manager, maybe yes!”
Pep Guardiola’s humble brag
The Man City boss also had a very cheeky response when Fazio tried to give him some prop for winning the European treble twice (with Barcelona and Manchester City) in his managerial career, as he replied: “Well, I’m very good. I had some luck at Barcelona, which is my favorite team. I’ve been in three great clubs throughout the course of my career.”
Guardiola’s friendly interactions with the show host delighted the audience in the crowd and many watching on Italian TV.
He ended the show by wearing a cap in the colors of Italian side Sampdoria and posing for the camera, with his interactive interview proving that Pep can actually be a joyful character to talk with outside the pitch.
