Sane Reflects on Guardiola’s Impact as He Prepares for Emotional Return to Manchester

omidbasir- Leroy Sane, the Germany international, has expressed his gratitude to former manager Pep Guardiola for reshaping his understanding of football as he readies himself to face him on Wednesday. After four successful years at Manchester City before his departure in 2020, the 30-year-old forward acknowledges that Guardiola’s impact goes well beyond mere coaching techniques.

In an interview with BBC Sport ahead of the pivotal European clash, Sane referred to Guardiola as “the definitive architect of modern football.” He asserts that the rigorous training he received at the Etihad Campus transformed him from a raw talent into a sophisticated elite attacker, fully equipped to compete at the highest echelons of the sport.

“Pep introduces you to an entirely different game,” Sane explained. “His tactical expectations are relentless, but he didn’t merely coach me—he evolved me. I emerged from his mentorship as a far more complete player than I ever imagined possible.”

The Galatasaray star went on to elaborate that Guardiola “completely reprogrammed my footballing brain,” a transformation that culminated in him winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award during the historic centurion season of 2017-18. He considers that award as the moment he “truly arrived on the world stage,” with those memories firmly etched in his mind as he prepares to return to his old stomping ground.

Though the reunion is emotionally significant, the competitive stakes are high. Under the new Champions League format, both teams are vying for crucial results, with the Turkish giants currently holding 10 points in the 36-team league phase as they approach the final round of fixtures, while City is still uncertain of their advancement to the round of 16. Sane admitted he initially hoped for a more relaxed match upon his return to England, but the current standings necessitate a fierce contest.

“I’ll confess, when the draw was made, I hoped City might have already secured a top-eight spot by the time we faced off,” said the winger. “But now it’s a high-stakes game for both teams. Playing against them at the Etihad with everything on the line? It doesn’t get more intense than that.”

He views this match as a “true homecoming,” yet he remains acutely aware of the formidable challenge ahead. Acknowledging that the hosts are still among the favorites to win the tournament, he insists that his team is not going to England just to fill a spot.

Returning to Manchester has made him acutely aware of how much has changed since his departure. The squad has seen considerable changes, with many icons from the club’s recent golden era moving on. Sane pointed out that only a few of his former teammates—Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones—remain from his last season at the club.

Reflecting on the departures of legends like Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, Sane provided a stark insight into the culture of excellence that has been cultivated at the club. He noted that the organization operates on an unyielding desire for improvement, irrespective of past glories.

“It illustrates that at a club like City, evolution is perpetual,” he remarked. “Legends like Kevin and Ilkay have moved on because, sometimes, after achieving so much, a new horizon is needed. But make no mistake: the pressure is unrelenting. If you don’t perform at the highest level week in and week out, the club is designed to press on—whether you are part of it or not.”

Despite the turnover, Sane affirmed he has “never truly lost touch” with his friends at the club and looks forward to reconnecting with the remaining members of the squad with whom he celebrated two Premier League titles.

Since leaving the Premier League and Bundesliga, Sane has revitalized his career in Istanbul. He passionately discussed the “breathtaking” energy of the city and the underrated quality of the Super Lig, asserting that Galatasaray has already demonstrated their ability to compete with Europe’s elite.

Citing memorable performances against teams like Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, Sane expressed confidence in his current squad’s capabilities. He believes the fervent atmosphere in Turkey has prepared them for challenging away matches such as the one on Wednesday.

“In a 90-minute battle, anything is possible,” he concluded, rallying the traveling support. “If we don’t believe we can win, we might as well stay in Turkey. If we play to our highest potential that night, we can compete against anyone.”

As it stands, City is currently ranked 11th and still has a chance to secure a top-eight finish to advance to the round of 16, while Galatasaray sits at 17th, seeking a victory to enhance their prospects of advancing to the knockout stages as a seeded team.