Pep Guardiola describes ‘incredible’ impact of Terry Venables at Barcelona

Pep Guardiola has hailed Terry Venables as an inspirational and visionary leader following the former England manager’s death at the age of 80.

Guardiola, the Manchester City boss, remembers well the impact Venables had at his boyhood club Barcelona in the 1980s.

Guardiola was both a ballboy and a youth player at the Nou Camp when Venables coached the Spanish giants, guiding them to the domestic title in 1985 and the European Cup final the following year.

A photograph has emerged on social media of a young Guardiola looking on from pitchside as Venables celebrated one particular triumph.

“As a Barcelona fan, he gave us La Liga after 11 or 12 years,” said Guardiola, who went on to captain and manage Barcelona himself. “His impact there was incredible.

“In that era I was 13 or 14 years old. It was the first time I saw us win La Liga. For many years it was not possible because of other teams.

“He introduced something that had never been (done there) before, especially a certain type of pressing and the set-pieces. He introduced many, many things.

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“A true gentleman for the people. Unfortunately, he could not win the Champions League in that time, with the final against Steaua Bucharest, but it’s a big loss for English football.

“I was a ballboy so I wasn’t in contact with him, I just gave the ball to his players, but I remember talking to friends of mine, who did play with him, and their words for him were not just as a manager but as a person – so funny, appearing on programmes, singing Frank Sinatra.

“He was a proper, proper man. I am so sorry for his family.”

Former England goalkeeper David Seaman has also paid tribute to Venables.

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