Football Ramble Mailbag: Has Pep Guardiola been good for English football?
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Nov 11, 2025 The hosts dive into Pep Guardiola's impact on English football, debating if he's raised standards or merely altered them. They discuss Manuel Pellegrini's quirky suggestion for a basketball-style half-court rule in football. The mystery of how Kenny Dalglish successfully juggled player-manager duties is unraveled. Plus, they highlight young talents being underused in the Premier League and ponder which nations Irish fans might want to support at the World Cup for maximum excitement.
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Guardiola Raised England's Football Standard
- Pep Guardiola raised the technical and tactical standard across English football and set a new benchmark for managers.
- His presence influenced player development, club ambition, and tactical evolution beyond Manchester City.
Dominance Can Make Football Less Exciting
- Exceptional dominance by one manager or club can make the league predictable and less entertaining for some periods.
- Guardiola's success sometimes led to perceived dullness when City and rivals pulled well ahead of others.
Player Development Changed By Guardiola
- Guardiola's methods transformed individual careers and the England player pipeline, improving technical profiles and comfort on the ball.
- Players like Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden exemplify that influence on national team selection.