(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pep Guardiola’s Tactical Shake-Up: Manchester City’s Biggest Summer Move Didn’t Cost a Penny
Manchester City made headlines this summer with over £150 million spent on five new signings—but the most significant addition wasn’t a player. In fact, he won’t even step onto the pitch.
In June, Pep Lijnders, the former assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, officially joined Guardiola’s coaching team at City. While player signings made the front pages, this strategic coaching appointment could have a bigger long-term impact than any transfer.
A Shift in Football Philosophy?
Lijnders was widely recognized as Klopp’s tactical brain during Liverpool’s peak years—especially in training and shaping their famed pressing system. His move to City has sparked speculation that Guardiola is preparing for a major tactical evolution.
Historically, Guardiola’s teams have prioritized control, structure, and “positional play.” In contrast, Klopp’s Liverpool—and by extension Lijnders—thrived on high-energy, vertical attacking football, often based on counter-pressing and transitional play.
Interestingly, Guardiola has acknowledged that the game is evolving. Speaking to TNT Sports recently, he admitted:
“Modern football is not positional. You have to ride the rhythm.”
That’s a big statement from a manager who built a career on tactical control. But the signs suggest he means it.
The Data Behind the Change
Last season, Manchester City’s style already showed hints of transformation:
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Possession dropped from 65.5% to 61.3%.
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Fast breaks increased by 36%.
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More long passes from Ederson were used to break pressing lines.
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January signing Omar Marmoush brought a more direct dribbling style.
This summer’s transfers point in the same direction.
The New Signings: Built for Speed and Skill
City added Rayan Cherki (Lyon) and Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), both known for carrying the ball through midfield rather than passing in tight triangles. These players bring flair, dribbling, and progressive movement—traits more associated with Klopp’s Liverpool than Guardiola’s City.
The addition of Rayan Ait-Nouri at full-back marks another sharp change. Instead of Guardiola’s usual tactic of placing midfielders in defensive roles to maintain control, Ait-Nouri is one of Europe’s most attacking defenders:
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63 dribbles completed last season (2nd among PL defenders)
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11 goal involvements
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5.5 expected assists
These stats show that Guardiola is now embracing a more aggressive and dynamic attacking approach—even if it means sacrificing some control.
What Lijnders Brings to the Table
Lijnders didn’t have the best time as head coach at Red Bull Salzburg, but his tactical insights remain highly regarded. His focus on intensity, pressing, and fast transitions could complement Guardiola’s vision in a way that creates a hybrid system—blending structure with spontaneity.
Together, they may be working to future-proof Manchester City against a Premier League that is evolving fast. Teams like Newcastle, Brighton, and even Bournemouth have shown the value of high pressing and rapid counter-attacks. Guardiola knows that holding possession alone isn’t enough anymore.
What’s Next for Man City?
With Lijnders now beside him and explosive players like Doku, Marmoush, and Cherki ready to attack, Guardiola seems set to redefine his tactics once again. Fans can expect a more unpredictable, fast-paced Manchester City in the 2025-26 campaign.
And while it may raise eyebrows, the truth is simple: Guardiola is not resisting the future—he’s leading it.
