Pep Guardiola to Manchester City: 'My son sees football as art - he will change the English game'

Father of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager says his son will change the mindset of football in this country

Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Josep Guardiola reacts during the UEFA Champions League second-leg quarter-final football match Bayern Munich v FC Porto in Munich, southern Germany (AFP)

Pep Guardiola will change the mind-set of English football when he takes over at Manchester City, says his father.

Guardiola was yesterday confirmed as the next City manager, with the Spaniard to replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium during the summer.

Guardiola built one of the greatest club sides ever at Barcelona, winning La Liga three times and the Champions League twice.

He also won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, the club he will leave at the end of the season.

“He will look to carry on the football of his Barcelona and Bayern teams,” Valenti Guardiola told BBC Sport.

“He has this attitude to football [as an art form],” said Valenti. “Not just to win, but to win in a distinctive way that entertains the public.

"The style of football I see in England, I doubt he has that in mind I mean, the football is very different. For that reason, I think he will have to change the mind-set of English football.

"I think he will be happy - he wouldn't be leaving if not. Right now in Germany, he is held in very high esteem."