By Stephen Simon
Erlin Haaland has paid an emotional tribute to former Manchester City manager , praising the Spaniard for transforming both the club’s mentality and his personal development as a player.
The Norwegian striker, who has enjoyed remarkable success since joining , reflected on Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of excellence in a heartfelt message shared on X.
Haaland said Guardiola constantly pushed his players to improve regardless of victories, trophies, or personal achievements, describing the former City boss’ standards as extraordinary.
According to the prolific forward, Guardiola built an environment where success became an expectation rather than something to merely celebrate, while continually challenging the squad to aim higher.
“A coach who never stopped teaching. It sounds crazy to say this, but you made greatness feel normal,” Haaland wrote.
He noted that even after major accomplishments, Guardiola continued demanding more from his players by setting new goals and introducing fresh lessons.
The striker also thanked the Spaniard for the impact he made on his career, describing the opportunity to work under him as one of the greatest privileges of his football journey.
“The honour of a lifetime to work with the best. Thank you for everything, boss,” Haaland added.
Since arriving at Manchester City, Haaland has developed into one of the most feared strikers in world football, winning multiple domestic titles and breaking several scoring records under Guardiola’s guidance.
