AS praise flowed following news on Friday that Mr Josep “Pep” Guardiola — considered by some the greatest football coach ever — was walking away from Manchester City, not much was said about him as a player.

However, record keepers tell us that Mr Guardiola, a product of Barcelona’s La Masia football academy, was central to the great Barcelona side of the 1990s as defensive midfielder. That celebrated team was guided by Dutchman Mr Johan Cruyff who gained fame and glory as a player in the 1970s.

Mr Guardiola also played professionally in Italy, Qatar, and Mexico before hanging up his boots in 2006. He represented Spain 47 times and captained that country to the Olympic Games gold medal in 1992.

A year as coach for the Barcelona reserves provided preparation to become coach of the senior team in 2008, replacing yet another legendary Dutchman, Mr Frank Rijkaard.

That appointment rapidly unveiled Mr Guardiola’s coaching genius. Barcelona had long established a tradition of short-passing, possession-based football. Under the youthful new coach the Catalan club, blessed with ‘touch’ players in every position, showcasing tactical obedience and physical fitness, took their intense, high-press, possession style to a whole new level.

The intricate passing of a midfield including Messrs Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets provided continuous service for the super-talented Mr Lionel Messi and others further forward. Their football captivated the globe as Barcelona FC dominated Spain and Europe, winning two Champions League and three La Liga titles. Indeed, the Barcelona ‘tiki-taka’ style became the template for Spain’s 2010 triumph at the FIFA World Cup.

After four seasons at Barcelona, Mr Guardiola walked away from the sport. Following a short sabbatical, he took over German giants Bayern Munich, winning three domestic titles before moving to Manchester City in 2016. Long inclined to boast that they introduced football to the wider world, the English have never been quick to embrace change.

Yet, while Mr Guardiola is being celebrated for his extraordinary achievement in leading Manchester City to 20 titles in 10 years, his playing style has reportedly transformed the English game. The news agency AFP tells us that “Guardiola’s brand… has been copied from grass roots through to the elite level”.

Those who learnt at his feet are asserting themselves as coaches. Mr Mikel Arteta, who this week guided Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years and now awaits the May 30 final of the Champions League, is a former assistant to Mr Guardiola.

Coach of Bayern Munich Mr Vincent Kompany, formerly a Manchester City player, has hailed Mr Guardiola for helping him to believe he “could become a coach”. Mr Kompany provides intriguing insight regarding his former coach: “Far too much is said about tactics or technique or whatever else. For him (Guardiola), it simply came down to that absolute desire to win everything — no matter what it was.”

Now 55 years old, Mr Guardiola has said he wants a break to “…breathe a little bit and relax”.

The football world eagerly awaits his return.