Despite winning two UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona in three years, it took ten years for coach Pep Guardiola to have a proper shot at the coveted title again. In 2021, Guardiola had eyes on his first UCL win with Manchester City when they fared against Chelsea in the competition’s final. However, a 42nd-minute strike from the then-Chelsea star Kai Havertz would end City’s dreams of a maiden European trophy. Three years after that loss, the Spanish boss believes his outrageous dressing room antics might have harmed the City team during the final versus Chelsea.

Two years later, in 2023, Pep Guardiola realized his dream of winning the UCL with Manchester City. One of the many reasons behind the win was Guardiola’s calm and composed approach, as opposed to his ‘aggressiveness’ during the doomed 2021 finale.

Pep Guardiola laments his temper and reveals failed locker room strategy in Netflix show

Netflix’s recent six-episode show, Together: Treble Winners focuses on Manchester City’s historic continental treble win during the 2022-23 season. In the last episode covering City’s UCL win against Inter Milan, coach Pep Guardiola travels three years back to his loss against Chelsea. “I remember the final against Chelsea. At halftime, I was more aggressive with some players, and it didn’t work,” said Guardiola. Soon, the episode cuts to a Man City locker room from the 2021 UCL Final.

Guardiola could be seen yelling at players at the halftime break, urging them to compete. “It’s a game for the greatest, guys! For the big players! All the chances they had is when we lose the ball because we were not strong enough on the ball,” said an outraged Guardiola. Hearing this tirade, the Manchester players would go out to play for the next 45 minutes, only to misfire and lose the silverware to their London-based rivals. This failure nevertheless rendered the Spanish tactician with an epiphanic moment.

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Guardiola excelled after adhering to a valuable lesson he learned from the 2021 defeat

“In the finals, there’s not one player that doesn’t want to do it well and want to win,” Guardiola added during his appearance on the show. Sticking to this lesson, the City boss urged his players to give their best during the last 45 minutes of the game. He added he would aid his players by making changes to the squad. He hinted this was his only motto and dressing room tactic for the 2023 UCL final, where Manchester City played Inter Milan.

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In last year’s UCL final, Guardiola told his players, “Guys, you’re exceptional players, okay? The final, Champions League, the way you feel is normal. But we don’t give up, and we go, go, go.” Thanks to this calm air, the Cityzens rose in the second half. In the 68th minute, Rodri made the best of the changed momentum with a game-winning strike, ensuring the Sky Blues won their first-ever UCL trophy and the continental treble. What do you think of Guardiola softening his stance for the good? Tell us in the comments.

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