Guardiola will be successful at Man City: Benitez

Veteran football manager Rafael Benitez believes that incoming Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola will be a success at the Premier League side when the latter succeeds Manuel Pellegrini next season.

The 45-year-old was announced as the successor to Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium earlier in February, joining after the conclusion of his contract at Bayern Munich.

Benitez, who met Guardiola during their respective spells at Valencia and Barcelona in La Liga, believes his fellow countryman will bring “knowledge” and “passion” to City.

“Pellegrini is a very good manager and a nice person as well. What Guardiola does or doesn’t do will not change that fact. I have a lot of respect for Pellegrini. Manchester City have won trophies under him. Let’s not forget that,” Benitez was quoted as saying by mirror.co.uk on Saturday.

“As for Guardiola, I first met him a few years ago when Barcelona were playing at Valencia. The club had invited me over to receive what they call ‘a golden pin’ in recognition of the work I had done. At the time, he was in-charge at Barcelona and we had a chat. I was impressed. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about his coaching and management.”