Former Manchester City and Manchester United striker, Andy Cole has praised the job Pep Guardiola has done at the Cityzens, but is adamant that the Spaniard must win a European cup with City to be seen as a true great.
Andy Cole is probably best known for winning the Treble with Manchester United in 1999, but he also put in a season in the blue half of Manchester, and acknowledges that despite their success in the last decade, the biggest trophy of them all is yet to see the inside of City’s trophy-cabinet.
Manchester City host Real Madrid tonight at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their 2021/22 Champions League semi-final fixture, and Cole amplifies the huge expectation on Guardiola.
“The Champions League has eluded Manchester City over the last few years,” Cole told bookmakers.co.uk.
“They have a tough game in this year’s semi-final with Real Madrid. Could it be the season they finally do it? It could well be.
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“When you try to win the European Cup, you need a little bit of luck to go your way.”
Cole worked under arguably the greatest manager in history in Sir Alex Ferguson, and believes that Guardiola needs a Champions League win with City to even be considered in the same category.
“Yes, I would believe that Pep Guardiola has to win the Champions League to achieve that status,” Cole said when asked if the City boss needed another victory in the competition to be thought of as a great.
“Pep Guardiola is such a brilliant manager with what he has achieved in the game and by all accounts, he’s a fantastic manager to work for.
Cole went on to reiterate his belief that teams win Champions League trophies, not individuals, and points to Real Madrid’s success this season as proof that the sum is often greater than the parts.
“It’s not a case of man for man when you look at the squads,” the 1999 Champions League winner explained.
“It’s how they perform as a team out on the pitch. Especially, with what Real Madrid have done this season.
“I don’t believe anyone expected Madrid to get to the semis, but they pulled it out. All these clubs want the same thing. It should be a really good tie though.”
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