27 November 2023 , 14:53
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Pep Guardiola has detailed just how important a figure Terry Venables is in Barcelona history as he paid tribute to the former England manager following his passing at the weekend.
Venables died on Saturday at the age of 80 after a long illness, with tributes paid to the former Crystal Palace, QPR, Tottenham and Leeds boss, who managed England to the semi-finals of Euro 96 and was in charge of Barcelona for three years between 1984 and 1987.
He led Barca to their first La Liga title in 11 years in his first season at the club, and took them to the European Cup final in 1986 where they lost to Steaua Bucharest. Guardiola was a young player on the club's books then, and got a close up view of Venables' teams when he served as a ball boy.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, the Manchester City manager - who coached Barca to four La Liga titles and two Champions League successes between 2008 and 2012 - said: "As a Barcelona fan he gave us the La Liga after 11, 12 years.
"His impact was incredible there, [he] introduced something never before. 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 he couldn't win the Champions League in that time against Steaua."
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Guardiola said Venables (centre, with Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes) made a huge impact at Barcelona (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)Continuing on Venables' legacy, he added: "A big loss for English football, thoughts to his family. 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."
Asked if he had many personal memories of Venables, Guardiola replied that he didn't but can see the impact he had on others: "Not much, 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 [it] is [to see] my clubs winning games. After I learn it, I saw Gary Neville and Gary Lineker, and Southgate, you realise the impact was important."