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Gael Clichy Reveals How Pep Guardiola Punished Manchester City Stars For Being Overweight- “I Saw Players Who Didn’t Train For 2 Weeks”

Published 01/06/2024, 8:50 AM EST

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via Reuters

In the meticulous world of Pep Guardiola, perfection isn’t just a dream. It is a mandatory pre-match notion. Forget fancy footwork or skills. For the Manchester City boss, peak performance begins on the scales. Gael Clichy, a former Manchester City star, lately lifted the lid on a surprising yet brutally effective weight management policy set by the Catalan coach. The French international revealed the stringent regime under Guardiola has left even star players on the sidelines.

Beneath Manchester City’s star-studded and trophy-laden success lies Guardiola’s unwavering commitment to detail. For Pep Guardiola, exceeding your ideal weight is a tactical concern instead of just a fitness concern. Let’s uncover this unique rule discovered inside Guardiola’s training camp.

Former Manchester City star reveals strict training methods by Pep Guardiola

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Former Manchester City and Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy opened up about his time with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. In an interview with Marca, the Frenchman made an intriguing revelation about Pep Guardiola’s uncompromising approach to player fitness, particularly his infamous ‘two-kilo rule.’ The rule, as unveiled by Clichy, is deceptively simple: exceed your designated weight by a mere two kilograms, and you’re banished from first-team training. There wasn’t any exception to the rule, leaving alone the star treatment.

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Clichy continued by stating that he has witnessed a few star players missing out on training during his time, due to this rule. “In soccer, you always hear coaches say, ‘If you’re overweight, you don’t train.’ In the end, if it’s an important player, the rule is swept under the rug because they need that player. With Pep Guardiola, if you were two kilos over the weight you should be after finishing the hard work and proper pre-season nutrition, you didn’t train. I saw players who didn’t train for two weeks,” Clichy remarked.

This revelation by Gael Clichy provides a glimpse into the lengths to which Guardiola goes to maintain the peak physical condition of his squad. The Spanish player’s meticulous rule has been stringently applied in the past and experienced by players like Sergio Aguero and Kalvin Phillips. It is a testament to the unwavering belief in the correlation between discipline and success that makes Guardiola unique!

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Despite its unconventional nature, the ‘two-kilo rule’ has become one hallmark of Pep Guardiola’s managerial approach. It has inevitably contributed to the success that has transformed Manchester City into a European powerhouse.

As Manchester City gears up for an enticing FA Cup clash against Huddersfield Town, Guardiola’s men will be focusing on a resolute victory at home. All eyes will be on star player Kevin De Bruyne, who might make his anticipated return to action during the clash. Do you think Pep is the best?

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Written by:

Sahil Sharma

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I am Sahil Sharma, a dedicated soccer writer with a profound commitment to the beautiful game. My journey as a soccer enthusiast dates back to my childhood, but it was in 2014, when Real Madrid clinched their historic 10th UEFA Champions League title, the famed La Decima, that my passion for the sport truly ignited. That momentous triumph transformed me into an ardent Madridista.
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Edited by:

Jacob Gijy