Pep Guardiola is known to even push some of the best players in the world to their maximum to get the best out of them for the sake of the team.
However, the demands Guardiola sets on his players do not seem to tire them out.
Instead, several top players have played some of their best football under the £378,846-a-week man — such as Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Carles Puyol to name a few.
Erling Haaland is another player who has further improved as a striker under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.
During City’s 3-0 victory against Burnley last season, Guardiola was spotted having an intense chat with the Norwegian international at half-time.
Alan Shearer criticised the Manchester City boss for airing out his grievances during the contest.
But Haaland seemingly does not mind his manager’s intense personality.
Guardiola makes public demand to Man City superstar now
Instead, the 24-year-old grows from strength to strength as a player.
The Manchester City number nine has already scored four goals in the first two games of the 2024/2025 Premier League season and it seems like another campaign is underway where defenders are bamboozled when playing against him.
A recent statistic has even showcased that Haaland has outscored Messi and Ronaldo when they were also 24 years of age.
However, Pep Guardiola’s demands when it comes to players such as his star striker seem relentless.
Guardiola has now claimed that every time Haaland steps out on to the pitch, he requires him to tirelessly press the opposition.
The Catalan said via BeanymanSports: “I like when he runs a lot. I like when he presses like an animal. I like it, because I’ve said it helps to score a goal. When you are connected defensively, you are connected offensively.”
“When you’re defensively disconnected and you don’t run, after the ball comes, it surprises you and you’re not precise. And with this mix, to know exactly what you have to do and help us, with his body language.”
Guardiola added: “Imagine, a central defender has the ball and he makes a sprint with this body, with these legs moving, it’s scary and helps us for the people in the middle and at the back to support him. And we are more helpful in our high-pressing and we need him.”
“This is non-negotiable. To not score a goal is fine but to do that, have to do it.”
Erling Haaland has been pressing much more this season
While the season only recently began, one takeaway from how Haaland has fared is that he has listened to Pep Guardiola and pressed far more than in his previous two campaigns at the club.
The two-time Premier League winner has led City’s press — even chasing down the likes of goalkeepers like Robert Sanchez and Arijanet Muric in both outings.
Previously as well, Haaland did not shy away from pressing.
But presumably, with his injury record and towering stature, there was a potential risk of the treble-winner picking up a knock if he strained himself by constantly running and especially at full pace.
This season, however, Haaland seems to be relentless in this regard and as Guardiola pinpointed, perhaps his defensive intensity has contributed to his fruitful start to the campaign.
The Spaniard also rightly stated that when an intimidating figure like the former Borussia Dortmund marksman presses the opposition, centre-backs must feel a sense of panic.
Furthermore, Haaland’s increased work rate will only aid the rest of his City teammates in winning the ball back and supplying him with chances to score close to the opposition goal.