A new BBC documentary and accompanying podcast series looks into how and why Pep Guardiola been able to revolutionise football.
Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection is a deep dive into Pep’s relentless pursuit of perfection, and the methods and motivations that have led him to leave a lasting imprint on the beautiful game.
There are interviews from Pep’s inner circle, his friends, former colleagues and players including Mikel Arteta, Txiki Bergeristan, Carles Puyol, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden.
Pep’s journey is uncovered, from a small-town in Catalonia to the awe-inspiring Camp Nou, and the importance of his pivotal relationship with managerial guru Johan Cruyff.
Spanish World Cup winner Carles Puyol lifts the lid on Guardiola’s innovative approach to managing Barcelona’s first team and discloses how he dealt with the pressures of an intense rivalry with Jose Mourinho.
After his dramatic departure from Barca, Pep’s closest confidants discuss his constant search for self-improvement and a New York sabbatical that led to his Bayern Munich appointment.
Star players Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer reveal the leadership challenges Pep faced as he strove to apply his football philosophy to a club steeped in history.
Current Manchester City players Phil Foden and Kyle Walker bring to life Guardiola’s relentless work ethic, whilst former Oasis singer Noel Gallagher reflects on how Pep took the club from a fourth-place finish to a 100-point title-winning season in the space of the year.
You can watch Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection on BBC One and iPlayer at 10.40pm on Wednesday 24 January and delve deeper with the accompanying four-part podcast series on BBC Sounds, presented by Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague by searching Sporting Giants.
