Football
Chris Wright, Toe Poke writer 6y

Manchester City stars have fun on blue carpet for 'All Or Nothing' Premiere

It's been in the pipeline for months now, but this Wednesday night finally sees the maiden episode of Man City's flashy fly-on-the-wall documentary "All Or Nothing" premiere on Amazon Prime.

To celebrate, Pep Guardiola and his players congregated at the Printworks in Manchester for the first screening of the hotly anticipated series.

The cameras were granted unprecedented access to the inner machinations at the Etihad, with the daily grind for players and staff alike laid bare for all to see.

The City-Manchester United rivalry is also front and centre throughout, with Guardiola admitting early on that his biggest challenge was to usurp the footballing power balance in the city.

"We have neighbours who, for 15 or 20 years, have always won. I think my biggest challenge as a manager is to change that," he says.

As well as a glimpse behind the curtain during City's title-winning campaign, the series also offers unique insight into Guardiola's managerial style.

One notable aspect is that the Catalan coach seems to use the words "top" and "guys" more than any other in the English language.

In fact, they're both absolutely central to his footballing philosophy: "To become a top top top top top team you have to score the f---ing goals, guys!"

However, Guardiola also admits that, despite what people think, he doesn't always have the answers when it comes to tactical shifts and man-management.

"I am going to tell you something that is absolutely true: I don't have all the answers. Often, when I don't know something, I act in front of the players as if I do.

"I do it so they believe I have the right answers and it gives them confidence to play."

The second episode is likely to raise more eyebrows being as it focuses on City's stormy victory over rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.

While no mention is made in the documentary, the match ended in a tunnel brawl after also seeing the visitors set a new record by securing a 14th consecutive Premier League win.

In the accompanying narration -- by Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley, no less -- Jose Mourinho is characterised as a defensive coach while Guardiola is seen positively roaring at his players in the aftermath:

"You killed them [United] while playing football and even in the bad moments you were there, guys. You were outstanding. We travelled there to our neighbours and showed what we are.

"And you did it, guys, that's why you deserve all my respect. It's all in our hands. Only Manchester City can lose the Premier League right now."

There is also an intriguing snippet from City's all-time top goal scorer Sergio Aguero, who reveals that he spends an awful lot of his day to day existence on his lonesome.

"Most of the time I am on my own. I hang out a lot with David De Gea because we play together at Atletico Madrid," the Argentinian striker says.

"We have a friendship from Atletico but he plays for United and I'm City."

Buddies across the Mancunian divide? Very risky.

^ Back to Top ^