Abu Dhabi: Pep Guardiola will have “absolutely no problem” adapting to the rigours of the English Premier League and be “a great success” when he becomes the new Manchester City manager in the summer.
That’s the view of Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea manager, who competed against the current Bayern Munich boss in the German Bundesliga while in charge of Schalke in 2014-15.
Some pundits have questioned whether the intense pressing tactics of the feted Spaniard - whose move to England on a three-year deal was confirmed by City on Monday - will succeed in the EPL.
The lack of a winter break, which he has enjoyed in Spain while at Barcelona and in Germany, could prove his undoing, it has been claimed, but Di Matteo emphatically rejected this suggestion.
“He’s one of the best, if not the best, coaches in world football,” the Swiss-born former Italy midfielder told Gulf News on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Invitational golf tournament at Yas Links.
“He wants to find a different experience and new challenge and he’s going to enhance the Premier League. Will he cope with the hectic schedule? In Germany, you have fewer games, but in Spain he was used to that, playing every three days.
“I think he’s got the experience to cope with that. He will have absolutely no problem coaching and managing in the EPL. He will be a great success.”
Di Matteo is currently out of work, having resigned as manager of Schalke last May following spells in charge of Milton Keynes Dons, West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea in England.
“I had a great experience in the Bundesliga in Germany, but who knows where my next project lies?” he said. “I had plenty of experience in the Premier League.
“It might be the Premier League or it might be somewhere abroad, too.”
Would he consider a role in the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League?
“I think right now I probably am focusing on Europe,” he replied.
