Arsenal’s Premier League title has brought fresh attention to the growing list of coaches influenced by Pep Guardiola. And former Manchester City player Fernando Reges believes Mikel Arteta may already have taken some of those ideas even further.
Fernando spent three years at City between 2014 and 2017, making 102 appearances beforeleaving for Galatasaray. His spell at the Etihad coincided with one of the most important periods in the club’s modern history.
The Brazilian arrived before Guardiola and before City became the elite club they are today. He witnessed the structural changes at the club from close range, including the move away from what he described as the “old second division structure”.
Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Fernando explained how much that period still means to him.
“When I arrived, it was still the old structure from the second division days, and I followed that whole transition too. I saw the new training centre arrive. That period and that transformation from a modest team into a world football powerhouse really marked me.”
Guardiola’s methods changed Fernando’s career
Guardiola arrived in Manchester during Fernando’s final season at City. Even though they only worked together for one year, the defender says the impact was enormous.
“When he arrived, we started seeing the training sessions, the way he approached things, the demands, the details. Things we hadn’t seen with other coaches.”
Fernando then went into detail about the small technical aspects Guardiola obsessed over.
“Receiving the ball properly, making the pass with the correct foot – all of that makes a huge difference.”
The Brazilian believes those lessons followed him for the rest of his career.
“After my time at City, many things I learned from him I was able to put into practice at the other teams I played for.”
Fernando eventually left City after losing his place in the starting XI. However, even his departure produced one final Guardiola lesson.
“When I decided to leave, I was already leaving training to finalise the move and he came to me and said: ‘I thought you would fight more and stay here.’”
The comment clearly stayed with him.
“That marked me because maybe I should have been stronger and stayed longer. ButI wasn’t used to being on the bench.“
Fernando admitted it changed his mentality afterwards.
“I was already a very competitive person, but after leaving City I took my level to its peak at Sevilla. So I can say the best moment of my career came because of everything I went through with him.”
Fernando and Fernandinho joked about working for Arteta
While Fernando was preparing to leave for Sevilla and Guardiola was starting to build his dominant City side, Arsenal manager Arteta was taking his first coaching steps as Pep’s assistant.
Fernando says it did not take long for players inside the dressing room to notice Arteta’s potential.
“Arteta showed huge potential on the pitch and I was lucky to also have him as Guardiola’s assistant.”
One particular joke between the Brazilian players and Arteta ended up becoming unexpectedly prophetic.
“Talking to him, me and Fernandinho even joked once: ‘If you become a manager, take us as assistants!’”
Fernando explained why the coaching potential was already obvious.
“We could see that quality in him, not only as a coach but also as a people manager.”
The former defender had already faced Arteta years earlier, back when the Spaniard captained Arsenal. And Fernando believes some players naturally look like future managers while they are still playing.
“He was that dynamic and intelligent player. One of those players you watch on the pitch and you can see how well he positions himself, how quickly he plays and how he thinks before the move even happens. Those are the players you feel can become great coaches later.”
Arteta improved some Guardiola ideas
Fernando also faced one of Arteta’s teams in pre-season after the Spaniard became a head coach. He immediately noticed similarities with Guardiola’s football.
“I remember we played against his team in pre-season and they suffocated you. They closed spaces, pressed constantly, there was never any relief.”
The Brazilian believes that intensity is now Arteta’s biggest strength as a manager.
“They were always suffocating you, no matter the opponent. I think that’s his greatest quality as a coach.”
Fernando then made perhaps the most striking comment of the interview.
“Arteta is a great coach and also a fantastic person. He managed to take the things Guardiola already did very well and add something extra.”
He even suggested the Arsenal manager may have improved certain aspects of Guardiola’s approach.
“He’s a very good coach and does many things Guardiola does, but I actually think he improved the pressing and the dynamics his team has. They are always on top of you, suffocating opponents in every possible way regardless of who they are facing.”