Erling Haaland has praised Pep Guardiola as the hardest working individual at Manchester City, highlighting the manager’s relentless dedication to success. Guardiola, now in his tenth season with the club, has led Manchester City to an impressive collection of trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, and four League Cups.
In a recent appearance on the Rest is Football podcast, Haaland shared insights into Guardiola’s work ethic, expressing admiration for the manager’s commitment. The Norwegian forward, who opted for Manchester City over elite clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, stated, “He works harder than everyone. He’s the hardest working in the club. He’s the first one to come, the last one to leave.”
Haaland underscored that Guardiola’s dedication is a significant factor behind his success. “It’s dedication. It’s motivation and also it’s an intense way of seeing football and working with football,” he explained, emphasizing the manager’s intense approach to the game.
Despite a challenging start to the current season, with two losses in their first three Premier League matches, City is rapidly climbing the league table. Haaland himself has been instrumental in this resurgence, recording 20 goals and three assists in just 20 appearances across all competitions this season. His commitment to the club was solidified in January when he signed a lucrative nine-year contract, which will keep him at Manchester City until 2034.
Guardiola’s future had been a topic of speculation last season, but he put those rumors to rest by signing a two-year contract extension in December 2024, ensuring his stay at the club until 2027. Haaland expressed confidence in Guardiola’s commitment, stating, “I knew he was staying for another year or another year-and-a-half.”
The forward added that his decision to join Manchester City was heavily influenced by his conversations with club officials, as well as his admiration for Guardiola. “Pep was a big reason why I came to City, of course, to work with him and to be able to experience him and his special ways,” Haaland noted.
Haaland’s comments shed light on the strong relationship between players and management at Manchester City, particularly under Guardiola’s guidance. As the team continues to aim for further success, Guardiola’s work ethic and vision remain critical components of the club’s culture and ambition.
As Manchester City aims to close the gap on current Premier League leaders Arsenal, Haaland’s performance and Guardiola’s leadership will be crucial in their pursuit of more silverware this season.
