Pep Guardiola ‘sends a lot of voice notes’ to one manager while exchanging messages of support

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is often all too keen to provide support and conversation to the Club’s Women’s manager Gareth Taylor.

The pair work in close proximity at the club’s City Football Academy headquarters adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, with both Manchester City teams eyeing major success in their respective league competitions this season.

Manchester City’s men’s team are vying for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title this season, but find themselves embroiled in a hotly-contested English top-flight battle with Arsenal and Liverpool.

As for Manchester City Women, Gareth Taylor’s squad are competing with Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side for the Barclays Women’s Super League crown, as the two sides find themselves only separated by goal difference (+2 in Chelsea’ favour) at the top of the division.

Ahead of Manchester City Women’s mammoth clash against cross-town rivals Manchester United Women at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, the close working relationship between both first-team managers at the City Football Academy has been detailed.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT this week, Manchester City Women’s manager Gareth Taylor spoke of his close relationship with Pep Guardiola, and the exchanging of messages between the Etihad coaches.

“He’s really supportive. He sends lots of voice notes to myself,” Taylor revealed. “We exchange messages back and forth if one of us or the other has been successful in the moment. We cross paths occasionally – he’ll come out and speak to some of the players.”

Taylor continued, “He’s been great in that sense. And I think that’s really surprised me just particularly with everything that he’s got going in his world.

“You know, he’s competing on all fronts but he’s really generous with his time and he’s been fantastic for me since I stepped into this role.”

For Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City men’s first-team squad, they remain on an ongoing international break until midway through next week, returning to duties at the City Football Academy to begin preparations for a mouthwatering clash with Arsenal.