Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, is rapidly approaching his half-century.
The ex-Barcelona star clocks 47 on Thursday.
Expectedly, the runaway Premier League leaders sent a goodwill message to their manager.
#HappyBirthday to our manager, Pep Guardiola! #mancity pic.twitter.com/SOQq7rTapg
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 18, 2018
To celebrate the iconic tactician, we take a look at four of his most amazing facts.
1. Once a ball boy
Guardiola may be the world’s best manager at the moment, but the Catalan started off as a ball boy. During one of his duties, he refused an autograph by Michel Platini, when offered a poster of the Frenchman which had adorned Guardiola’s childhood wall.
2. Ardent art lover
Beyond the beautiful game, Guardiola is passionate about arts. He spent much of his sabbatical in New York – after leaving Barcelona – around the galleries of the Big Apple.
3. Loves controversies too
Guardiola’s clothing has made headlines in the past. He once wore a T-shirt in a pre-match press conference ahead of a Champions League clash against Porto carrying a slogan promoting a campaign for justice surrounding the death of an Argentinian journalist. Guardiola then celebrated Bayern’s come-from-behind victory over Porto just that little bit too much, causing a noticeable tear down one side of his trousers. He has famous company on that front at least in David Moyes and Jose Mourinho.
4. One-on-one interview? Not Guardiola
Guardiola does not grant special interviews – only press conferences.
