Fabio Capello Slams Pep Guardiola's 'Arrogance' and Claims He Ruined Football
Former Italy manager Fabio Capello has launched a blistering attack on Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, accusing the Spaniard of arrogance and of causing massive harm to football through his tactical philosophy.
In a recent interview with El Mundo, Capello didn’t hold back as he blamed Guardiola for promoting a possession-based style of football that, in his view, has hurt the beautiful game. He even went as far as claiming that Guardiola’s perceived arrogance has cost him several Champions League titles.
Capello’s Harsh Criticism
Capello reflected on his experience with Guardiola during the latter’s brief spell at Roma in his playing days, labeling him as someone who always wanted to “be the main character.” According to Capello, Guardiola’s obsession with being the protagonist has often led him to overcomplicate matches, especially in the Champions League.
“The Champions League he won with City was the only one where he didn’t try anything strange in the decisive matches,” Capello remarked. “But in other years, in Manchester and Munich, on crucial days, he always wanted to be the main character. He changed things and made inventions just so he could say: ‘The players don’t win, I win.’ And that arrogance cost him several Champions Leagues.”
The legendary Italian manager also suggested that Guardiola’s approach inspired a decade-long trend of imitation across European football, which he believes severely harmed Italian football.
“Everyone spent ten years trying to copy him. This ruined Italian football, which lost its identity. I kept saying: ‘Stop now, you don’t have Guardiola’s players!’” Capello lamented.
He also criticized the modern style of building play from the back, calling it “a disaster” and “a bore that scared many people away from football.”
Opinion: Does Capello Have a Point or Is This Just Pure Resentment?
Capello’s comments undoubtedly carry a sting, but are they completely accurate? Sure, Guardiola’s obsession with tactical brilliance has led to some overcomplicated strategies during critical Champions League matches. The infamous 2021 final against Chelsea is a glaring example of how overthinking can backfire.
However, to say Guardiola’s influence “ruined football” seems exaggerated. What he has done is innovate—bringing a high-tempo, ball-dominant style that emphasizes creativity, intelligence, and coordination. His Barcelona team is considered one of the greatest of all time, and his legacy has pushed the game to evolve.
Capello’s criticism may highlight how imitation, not innovation, is the real culprit here. Coaches trying to mimic Guardiola’s style without having the same quality of players or tactical genius are bound to fail. The Italian maestro may have a valid point about the obsession with possession for possession’s sake, but placing the blame entirely on Guardiola feels like an oversimplification.
Guardiola’s calm response, admitting he isn’t “good enough to win Italian football,” shows his maturity in handling criticism. But whether Capello’s words will make him rethink his methods remains to be seen.
Football evolves because of managers like Guardiola who challenge the norm. But perhaps Capello’s frustration lies more in how football’s evolution has overshadowed the traditional defensive, gritty style Italy was once famous for.
What do you think? Is Capello’s criticism justified, or is Guardiola just a victim of his own brilliance? 💬⚽
