Pep Guardiola bans Wi-Fi at Manchester City Academy
Pep Guardiola has stopped his Manchester City players from accessing internet at the club’s training base in a bid to bring about more in-person communication. City defender Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that Pep also forced the team to have meals together as he tries to inculcate greater team spirit.
The 2016-17 season has been billed as the Year of the managers and one of the most exciting in Premier League history. At the front of the race right now is former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard has ordered the internet blocked in certain areas of the City Football Academy – while Wifi has been cut, he has ensured that 3G signals are also unavailable.
Argentine Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that the move is aimed at players who tend to be easily distracted by their phones.
Zabaleta, who plays right-back for the club, has only praise for the manager who comes after coaching two of the biggest teams in the world to Champions league glory. “You always want and dream to be trained by the best coaches, and today I have the opportunity to work with one of the best,” he said. “Actually, you learn a lot, especially the way you live it. Beyond knowledge, his passion for football.”
It is reported that Guardiola has also made changes to the players' diets and eating habits.
“He forces us to have breakfast and lunch together at the club. The internet is cut off, we are held incommunicado. We don’t even use 3G,” the full-back told Argentina’s TyC Sports.
The Spaniard has also banned pizzas after matches and has ensured that the team eats together at the Etihad following home games.