Leroy Sane has opened up on the huge influence Pep Guardiola had on him during their time together at Manchester City, as the winger prepares for a Champions League reunion with his former manager.
The Bayern Munich forward said Guardiola’s impact went far beyond football, explaining that the Spaniard helped shape him as a person as well as a player. “He didn’t just coach me,” Sane said, describing the former City boss as someone who guided him in everyday life and pushed him to grow in different ways.
Sane worked under Guardiola at City after arriving from Schalke in 2016, developing into a key part of the team before leaving for Bayern in 2020. Now, with Bayern set to face Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League, the Germany international admitted he is looking forward to seeing him again.
While Sane made clear the focus remains on the tie, he stressed that the lessons he learned under Guardiola still stay with him. The winger said the City manager demanded the highest standards every day, and that the experience helped him improve his mindset and approach to the game.
Bayern and Manchester City now meet on Europe’s biggest stage, with Sane set to come up against the coach he credits for having such a strong effect on his career and his life.
