A teenage Pep Guardiola (left) looks up in awe at Terry Venables during their time together at Barcelona (Photo: Twitter / Getty)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has called Terry Venables ‘a true gentleman’ after the former England manager died aged 80 after a long illness.
Venables’ death was announced on Sunday by his family with tributes flooding in from across the football world.
He enjoyed a long career on the pitch and in the dugout with teams including Chelsea, Tottenham and England, but also notably Barcelona where he was widely praised for transforming the side’s playing style.
His influence on the Spanish club is still felt today, especially on the likes of Guardiola who was part of their academy during Venables’ stint there from 1984 to 1987.
Following Venables’ death a photo of a 15-year-old Guardiola, then a ball boy, looking up at the former manager in awe following Barcelona’s victory over IFK Goteborg in the 1986 European Cup semi-final, began trending across social media.
On Monday, in his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, Guardiola was asked about the photo and his memories of Venables.
And though he admitted he was too young to fully appreciate what he did, his impact on the club and football in general will never be forgotten.
‘As a Barcelona fan he gave us the La Liga after 11, 12 years. His impact was incredible there, introduce something never before,’ the legendary Barcelona player and manager said.
‘A certain type of pressing and the set pieces – how many goals the centre back scored. A true gentleman, people live with him. I was a ball boy, just gave balls to his players.
‘Unfortunately couldn’t win the Champions League in that time against Steaua [Bucharest]. A big loss for English football, thoughts to his family.
Venables played for and managed Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona and England during his long career (Photo: Getty)
‘I read a lot how many players talk about him, really impressed. In that time I was 13, 14, the first time I saw us win the La Liga, many years not possible.
‘The impact in that short time, was not long, but the impact in the way they play – I remember talking to friends of mine who played with him. Not just as a manager, but as a person so funny.
‘In programmes, singing and dancing. A proper man. I’m so sorry for his family.
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‘Not much [of an impact on me personally]. I was 13, so not thinking I would get to play for Barcelona and not for a second to be a manager.
‘I see the game like they run a lot, pressing, set pieces. So physical team and changed shapes. I thought how fun is my clubs winning games.
‘After I learn it, I saw [tributes from] Gary Neville, Gary Lineker and [Gareth] Southgate, you realise the impact was important.’
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