Kyle Walker Recalls First Encounter with Pep Guardiola

The experience of a new manager taking charge of a team, or a player joining a new club under a different boss, is explored in the newest installment of You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker on BBC Sounds. This discussion is particularly relevant as Manchester United and England are both anticipating the arrival of new managers. Manchester City’s full-back, Kyle Walker, recounted his initial interaction with Pep Guardiola upon his transfer to City from Tottenham in 2017. Walker stated: “He’s got an aura about him that he carries and you’re glued. You could sit him here and everybody would be fixated with what he’s saying, because of what he’s won and the players he’s coached.” He further elaborated on the impact, saying: “You’ve listened to a certain voice for an amount of time with [Mauricio] Pochettino and to hear someone else talking – that’s what grabbed me.” Walker emphasized the manager’s commanding presence, recalling: “It was his aura. I remember being sat in the auditorium and you’re sat there, he’s talking and it was like a film. It was like: ‘Am I actually here listening to you talking your tactics with a group of players that were basically all superstars? Is this actually happening?'” The complete episode is available for listening on BBC Sounds. Sandi Toksvig’s guests include Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Alan Davies. Featured artists include Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and others. Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are featured returning for the Longleat Safari Park festivities. Discussions cover topics from microplastics in air, soil, and waterways, to the prevalence of food waste at this time of year. © 2024 BBC. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Details concerning our approach to external linking are available.