Pep Guardiola threw away Manchester City tactical plan after “dream” in his sleep, reveals Josko Gvardiol

Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol has revealed that manager Pep Guardiola once threw away his tactical plan for one game after a “dream” during sleep prior to the contest.

The Croatian defender is into his second season at the Etihad Stadium after joining the club from RB Leipzig in a deal understood to have been worth in the region of £78 million during the 2023 summer transfer window.

Whilst Gvardiol took several months to firmly integrate himself into the tactical picture at the Etihad, the 22-year-old has now established his position as Guardiola’s go-to option in the left-back role, with his responsibilities only expected to grow this season.

That trust between player and head coach has shone throughout their time working together at Manchester City, and Josko Gvardiol only has words of high praise for the legendary tactician from their time thus far at the City Football Academy.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official club website, the Zagreb-born talent was keen to praise the abilities of Pep Guardiola, whilst also revealing the moment a new tactical plan came to the Catalan’s mind following a “dream” prior to one game.

“I have to say that he’s a genius,” the Croatia international explained. “He lives for the sport.”

“I remember one day, he came to our meeting, we were planning something the whole week, how we were going to play, but that day he came up and said, ‘I had a dream,’ and he changed the system and everything,” Gvardiol revealed. “From that moment, I knew he really loved it.”

He continued, “What I like is that he is a person and is a manager who likes to help you. He likes to talk about football, about the system, the way we play. I would say that is what makes the difference from the other managers.”

Josko Gvardiol’s dependency from the part of Pep Guardiola is only expected to intensify over the coming weeks and starting from this weekend, following a serious muscle injury sustained by Nathan Ake during the international break.

The Dutchman was withdrawn via the aid of a stretcher during a UEFA Nations League meeting with Germany on Tuesday night, appearing to clutch his hamstring whilst chasing a ball and leaving the field in tears.

City’s intense schedule begins with Premier League action against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, before the return of the Champions League and a new League Phase format which sees Inter visit the north-west in the first of eight matches in the competition.