Leo_Ger
Well-Known Member
These threads are great for separating clued up football fans from the the rest. Usually there’s little acknowledgment of the fact Barca were 3rd place behind Villarreal when Guardiola took over, and City had finished 4th when he took up his position there, or that Klopp at one point had Dortmund right down around the relegation zone.
Two brilliant managers, but one revolutionised the game and had a side play the most attractive football the modern game has seen, so much so many a team spent subsequent years trying to emulate it.
Can make that argument for Klopp as well tbh. Gegenpressing by his Dortmund team has an indelible influence on modern football subsequently. In fact, transitions and counter pressing are a bigger focus in the modern game than tiki taka.
However, the reality is neither of them created the style of football they're famous for.