ONE CITY
2nd July 2012 - Etihad Stadium
I stood in the corridor nervous, I held my hand out in front of me, it shook violently, there were people buzzing around everywhere, some patted me on the back or shook my hand. I could see everyone who was walking up and down past me fixating their eyes on me which made me uncomfortable. I kept my head down and took deep breaths. I shut my eyes and wished myself into a calmer state. Too Late! I was tapped on the shoulder and ushered through a concealed door by a very abrupt scruffy looking man. He held my arm as he stopped me a few feet away from another door. "When they call ya name walk through the door ya hear me?" I nodded at him which provoked a semi smile from his unkempt half shaven face. "Good luck chap" he whispered to me as he turned around and disappeared down one of the many corridors. I stood in front of the door now even more nervous and somewhat embarrassingly aware of how much sweat was dripping from my brow. As I wiped it away with the sleeve of my new Armani suit I heard a voice loudly say...
"I would like to announce Manchester City's newest manager and the man we feel will take this club to the next level.... Josep Guardiola!"
That was it! My name was announced. I grabbed the door **** and swiftly opened the door and fell into a sea of camera flashes. The noise was incredible I could hear many gasping and also noticed some excited looking faces which filled me with a bit more confidence. I could just make out a table where there was an empty chair next to the clubs owner Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I edged over to the table and took my place alongside Mansour who shook my hand and smiled. We sat there smiling for the cameras until the furore died down, then Mansour whispered into my ear... "There all yours" I took a sip of water from a plastic cup which had been placed for me on the table and then addressed the media.
"Hello everyone, how are you all, it's amazing to be here and I am happy that so many of you have come today. It's really nice to be in England and although I am yet to see a wet day Mansour tells me by the end of the month I'll be begging the sun to come out again. Seriously though I have always dreamed of coming to England to manage as I have always been entrigued by the way the football is played. In Spain the football is very pretty and it focuses on passing and dribbling. England however adds another dimension where tackling, strength and ferocity are included in that mix. I like the physicality that the English game provides and have craved to be part of that for some time now, which I thankfully now am. Manchester is a beautiful place and although I have only been here a few days, I know that it will become a home to me and a place that I will cherish forever. After I was contacted by this club and after the meetings with Mansour I knew that I wanted to be part of this clubs dreams and its future."
Luckily as my speech was ending Mansour placed his hand on my shoulder, politely interupting... "Due to the fact that we have some important board meetings this afternoon Pep will be now be taking a few of your questions before we head off"...
Mansour was on hand to select the people who would be asking the questions, the media almost pleaded with him to get there question answered but he very authoritively pointed to who would speak...
"Lucy Brookes from the Evening Times, have you found it hard to leave Barcelona who many have touted as the best team in the world at the moment and some even suggesting of all time and will you be looking to bring anybody in from your former team? We hear theres a player called Messi who is quite good."
"Yes, a very good player, I don't think Lionel will be joining Manchester City though as I know he loves the Catalan culture and he has Barcelona in his heart. I don't think it would be fair of me to talk about Barcelona's players as I have no affiliation with that club now and I don't want to cause speculation. At the moment I say no to your question and shall not say anymore."
"James Anderson from the Manchester Times, now that Mancini has parted ways with the club and left to coach Italy's national team, will you be changing much of what he has implemented or will you be carrying on from his great work which has led to the club winning the F.A cup and it's first league title in forty-four years?"
"Roberto has done a fantastic job here and I know he will be proud of his achievments. Coaching Italy would be any managers dream and I wish him all the luck in the world with that. I don't think there will be seismic changes but I will implement some of my own plans and there will be activity in the Transfer Market as I look to to strengthen where I feel the squad needs improving "
"Mark Langston from the Sun, you speak about the Transfer Market, what areas of the squad do you feel need improving and what sort of budget will you be working with? have you earmarked anyone in particular you want to sign"
"I do not wish to discuss who i'm interested in, as nothing is concrete and myself and Mansour aswell as others need to finalise identifying transfer targets. It is not my place to speak to you about budgets as I am a coach and not someone who has the power to set a budget. "
Mansour pointed to one last woman before stating that her question would round up the media's interaction...
"Julie Madsen from Sky Sports, As a young manager who has enjoyed such success in Spain do you firstly think you can translate that success into greatness here in England and do you secondly feel like you will be here for the long haul?"
"I feel that whatever I achieved in Spain can be completed here in England. I wouldn't have come here hoping to only achieve half of what was done at Barcelona. I want this club to be as big as it's rivals Manchester United. If the chairman and the fans want me to stay, I will stay for as long as I can."
that was it, the interrogation was over. I thanked the media for coming and said my farewell's to them. I was soon whisked off in a rather luxurious car along with Mansour to a meeting about Transfer Targets and who could potentially be leaving the club.
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