Erling Haaland praised Pep Guardiola in his farewell post as Manchester City manager, saying it was an honor to work under him for four years.
Erling Haaland has waxed lyrical about the influence Pep Guardiola has had on his career (Image: Michael Regan – The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
Erling Haaland has posted a tribute to outgoing Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola, claiming he “made greatness feel normal”.
The Norwegian has played for the past four years under the Catalan manager, who has just completed a 10-year spell at the Etihad. This makes Guardiola the manager with whom Haaland has played the longest in his career, and the manager who has had him the most success.
Haaland signed for City in 2022 after a prolific few years at Borussia Dortmund, joining a team that has won trophies without playing as a natural number nine, but that has led to some changes in the way they play.
The striker scored twice on his debut and ended his spell under Guardiola with 162 goals. He helped City win the treble in his first season, breaking the Premier League’s season goals record, and praised the former Barcelona manager for his career and the impact he has had on the club.
“A coach who never stopped coaching. It sounds crazy to say this, but he made me think greatness is normal,” he wrote on social media.
“Even after the hat-tricks, the wins and the trophies, there was always a new lesson, a new challenge, a new level to reach. That mentality changed this club forever, and it changed me too. It’s the privilege of a lifetime to work with the best players. Thank you, coach, for everything.”
While his form was a little sluggish at the beginning of this season, manager Guardiola insisted, “Erling is the best striker in the world.” Throughout his career, he has managed the likes of David Villa, Samuel Eto’o, Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Aguero.
Haaland and Guardiola’s relationship ended after they won two domestic cups. The Norwegian has won the Premier League twice and this season won his third Golden Boot award in four years.
Pep Guardiola takes Erling Haaland to new heights (Image: PA)
A number of City players paid tribute to Guardiola as he prepares to leave English football. He broke numerous records and gave an emotional farewell to the club’s fans on the final day of the season.
Bernardo Silva, who left Manchester after nine years, said: “He’s my father in football. I’m really grateful for what he did for me, for believing in me, for supporting me in the bad moments, for changing the way I looked at football, and for winning obviously helping me.”
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