Guardiola picks up another honor in Manchester. This one is from its university
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Manchester on Monday to recognize his contribution on and off the field since joining the club in 2016.
Guardiola was presented with an honorary doctorate by the university's chancellor at
a ceremony
to honor his success with City, including leading the team to six Premier League titles and the Champions League, and in the community, notably through his Guardiola Sala Foundation.
'I have spent nine years here and it has become home,' Guardiola said. 'The people, the culture, my incredible football club, my colleagues … it is all so special to me and my family.
'When I arrived here in 2016, I did not know how long I would spend here. The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time here has been beautiful.'
Professor Duncan Ivison, who is the university's president and vice chancellor, described Guardiola as an 'innovator and a winner who has inspired millions of people through his success as a manager.'
'He has played a huge role in making Manchester a global success story,' he said, 'and we are honored that he has chosen to accept this degree. I hope that this forges another important connection between him, the University of Manchester, and the city.'
___
AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Red Sox call up top prospect Roman Anthony 2 days after 497-foot grand slam in minors
BOSTON (AP) — Roman Anthony was in Worcester, waiting for the 275-mile bus ride that would take him to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for his next Triple-A game, when WooSox manager Chad Tracy told the team their departure would be delayed because someone might need to head an hour east to Boston instead. 'I didn't really think anything of it, to be honest,' Anthony told reporters in the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park before making his major league debut Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. 'I was just kind of waiting around in the food room with a few of the guys, and then all of a sudden he came out and just said, 'Hey, you're going to the big leagues,'' Anthony said. 'From there on out it's kind of been a little bit of a blur. But it was amazing. You dream of that every single day. So, to finally hear it was definitely awesome.' Anthony, who played right field and batted fifth, received the biggest cheer of all during pregame introductions and then a standing ovation when he came to bat in the second inning, with a runner on first and nobody out. He popped up to left field and got another cheer as he returned to the dugout. A 21-year-old second-round draft pick who went viral over the weekend when he hit a 497-foot grand slam in Worcester, Anthony was the top-rated prospect in the minors before his call-up. He batted .288 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games in Triple-A this season. His accomplishments in the minors had Red Sox fans clamoring for his call-up, especially with the team languishing in fourth place in the AL East, 8 1/2 games behind the rival New York Yankees. But while fellow prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer got the call, the Red Sox remained patient on Anthony until an injury to Wilyer Abreu left them needing another outfielder. 'It's been a long time coming,' said Mayer, who was called up about two weeks ago. 'It's been talked about for a very long time, and it's kind of crazy that today's the day that we're all going to share the field together in the big leagues. I'm super excited. I think we have a really good team, and he's just another great addition to that.' Cora said he noticed something was wrong with Abreu after Sunday's game against the Yankees. When the team realized it would be more than a day or two, they decided to make the move and put Abreu on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. The Red Sox made room for Anthony on the 40-man roster by designating first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda for assignment. 'We're trying to win ballgames,' Cora said. 'The kid has done an amazing job getting ready for this moment. We're excited. It's a big day for the organization.' Anthony was perhaps known only to the most dedicated fans before his homer on Saturday that was the longest measured this year by Statcast, which tracks the major leagues, Triple-A and the Class A Florida State League. Since Statcast started tracking in the majors in 2015, only five home runs have gone farther, including Nomar Mazara's 505-foot shot in 2019 for the Rangers. After getting the promotion, Anthony had time to call his parents and siblings and an old baseball coach and gather most of his equipment — his own glove, a single bat and a borrowed pair of cleats — before driving down the MassPike to Boston. He arrived in Boston a few hours before game time and by 7:30 p.m. he was taking aim at the historic red seat that marks Ted Williams' 502-foot homer that is the longest ever at Fenway Park. 'It happened quick. I think no matter when that call comes, nobody's really expecting it,' he said before the game. 'Obviously a little bit of a short notice. But, you know, better than being on the bus to Lehigh Valley right now.' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
West Indies' top T20 batter Nicholas Pooran retires from internationals
Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) Lucknow Super Giants' Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) — Nicholas Pooran, West Indies' Twenty20 record-holder for runs and appearances, retired from international cricket on Monday. Pooran, 29, made the announcement on Instagram. Advertisement "Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me,' he wrote. 'To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.' Pooran was suspended briefly in late 2019 after admitting to ball-tampering against Afghanistan, and overcame that to be named West Indies T20 vice captain about 18 months later for a tour by Australia. But he became captain when Kieron Pollard couldn't play, and led the team to a 4-1 series win. In 2022, he was named the permanent white-ball captain and took the team to that year's T20 World Cup in Australia, but in fallout from a first-round elimination he resigned. He starred when the West Indies hosted the T20 World Cup last year, overtaking Chris Gayle as the team's all-time leading scorer, and hitting his highest T20 score, 98 against Afghanistan. Advertisement Pooran played 106 T20s for 2,275 runs at an average of 26.14. He also played 61 one-day internationals, including three centuries and one World Cup. Cricket West Indies praised Pooran as a game-changer, and with 'sincere gratitude and appreciation ... for his outstanding contributions. His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket." ___ AP cricket:
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Opposite of Postecoglou' - what could Spurs expect from 'chef' Frank?
"I probably won't be at Brentford forever," Thomas Frank told BBC Sport in January when asked about his ambitions. "I will maybe walk into another club." That club could be Tottenham Hotspur, who finished 17th in the Premier League table - seven places below Brentford - but will play in the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League. Advertisement Spurs have closed the door on the Ange Postecoglou era and are bidding to replace him with the Dane who established Brentford in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship in 2021. Frank, 51, is the second-longest-serving current manager in English football's top-flight behind Manchester City's Pep Guardiola. "It is just a question of time," said six-time Premier League-winning boss Guardiola last September, when asked if he was surprised Frank, appointed by Brentford in 2018, had not been offered a bigger job. Frank did not play football professionally but has overseen 152 Premier League games - winning 54, losing 60 and taking 200 points from a possible 456. Advertisement Of the 54 managers to take charge of 150-plus games in the Premier League era, Frank ranks 29th for points per game (1.32). During his Brentford reign, Frank has spent £254m on players and received £183m in sales - a net spend of £71m. Tottenham have spent £961m on transfers since 2016-17, according to data. Frank, who has been described as the opposite of Postecoglou for his adaptability, would be Tottenham's fourth permanent manager since 30 June 2021. Nuno Espirito Santo lasted just four months, Antonio Conte 16 months and Postecoglou, despite ending the club's 17-year wait for a major trophy, has been sent packing after two years. Advertisement "There's much more pressure at Tottenham than there is at Brentford, because of the expectation - and the manager has to handle that expectation," Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95, told BBC Sport. 'Heat on Frank straight away' Frank's boundless energy and motivational skills have got the very best out of Brentford, who are planning for a fifth consecutive season in the Premier League despite one of the smallest budgets. He has built a reputation for producing teams full of strong characters with no egos, and has helped the likes of Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa become better players - as well as many others. Advertisement Often described as a 'great human', Frank built strong relationships and socialised with his players and staff - including his love of padel - and has been praised regularly for his motivational skills. Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Thomas is very personal with the players. "He cares a lot about how we are and how we feel. It's a very important quality for a manager to have. "Not every manager has it, and the ones that do seem to have more success. He's definitely a leader and someone who guides us. He's done a fantastic job in the years that I've worked with him at Brentford." Advertisement Managing Brentford feels a very different proposition to managing Spurs though - moving from a club with consistently one of the lowest budgets in the division, to one full of high-paid, high-profile players. Sutton described Tottenham's decision to part ways with Postecoglou as "madness", and added: "That is how things work at the club that Frank is walking into." He also also believes Spurs are taking a gamble on a manager who has no experience in the Champions League. "Thomas Frank has done a brilliant job at Brentford, but this is a whole different kettle of fish," said Sutton. Advertisement "Because of the expectation at Tottenham, Frank won't get time to get his feet under the table. He will be under pressure from the off. "Postecoglou has just won them their first major European trophy for 41 years and has gone. So already you have to wonder what does Frank need to do this season to keep his job? "The aim for Frank will be to keep them in the Champions League, and whether that is by making the top four or five, that is not going to be easy. "That is a big ask for this squad, to compete on both fronts. We know this Tottenham team is better than 17th place, because they finished fifth in Postecoglou's first year, but other Premier League teams have improved since then." Tottenham recorded the league double over Brentford in 2024-25, defeating the Bees by an aggregate score of 5-1 [Getty Images] 'Frank is the opposite of Postecoglou' Brentford finished 2024-25 with more points than Tottenham (56 compared with 38), more goals (66-64) and fewer goals conceded (57-65). Advertisement In addition, Mbeumo (20), Wissa (19) and Kevin Schade (11) scored 50 goals between them after Frank was forced to adapt following the departure of Toney - 36 goals in 83 top-flight appearances for the Bees - to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. There have been many different versions of Brentford though since Frank first took charge. High-possession football, more counter-attacks, more percentage football - Frank has played them all, leading to many seeing him as one of the game's more adaptive coaches. From attacking flair and bravery, to at times being more pragmatic, what will Spurs look like under Frank? "It's a surprisingly difficult question to answer because he's a really flexible manager," said football tactics writer Alex Keble. Advertisement "He will automatically adapt his tactics to whoever the opposition is, a bit like Unai Emery at Aston Villa. "In many ways he's the opposite of Ange Postecoglou, who is famously wedded to one idea. "There's a statistic - what Opta call 10+ - referring to the number of passes and sequences [in one move]. In 2023-24 Brentford registered 245. In 2024-25 that figure was 325. "That tells you as time has gone on, Frank has wanted to play a more possession-based game. There's certainly plenty of counter-attacks, fast transitions and plenty of highly choreographed long balls forward - direct football." Advertisement Who are the Tottenham players who could benefit from the arrival of Frank, a manager who pays great attention to stats? "You can certainly imagine Dominic Solanke linking with Wilson Odobert in a way Wissa and Mbeumo interact," added Keble. "Defensively, Tottenham are least like Brentford. Would Frank look at the Spurs squad and think 'I can't play Brentford football here?'" Spurs fans struggled to buy into the brand of football under recent managers Jose Mourinho and Conte. Will they take to the Frank style? "I think the way he played at Brentford was quite balanced - they had different ways of playing, depending on the opposition," added Sutton. Advertisement "His Brentford team played good football at a high intensity, but ultimately fans take to managers when they win games, and that is it. "I do think he has got different strings to his bow, but it will be interesting to see what Tottenham do recruitment-wise this summer." Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy is another to praise Frank's flexible approach. "They had a great intensity and physicality about them," Murphy told BBC Sport about Brentford last season. "They vary their game as well as any other team in the Premier League." 'Collaborative' and 'curious' - what is it like to play for Frank? Frank, praised for his methodical detail, has likened managing in the Premier League to being a head chef in a high-end restaurant. Advertisement "The chef needs to be able to cook the food himself," said Frank. "He's got 20 other chefs doing all these things for him so he's leading all these many chefs through his vision, his recipes and they are maximising every little detail. "But he knows how the perfect outcome should be." His profile has rocketed since he arrived in England in 2016, being appointed Brentford's assistant head coach under Dean Smith. Despite not playing professionally he has ended up in the Premier League after starting his coaching journey with the under-8s of his hometown club Frederiksvaerk. Advertisement He progressed to become coach of Denmark at various youth levels until 2013, when he was offered a first-team coaching role at Danish Superliga giants Brondby. Former striker Lee Rochester Sorensen, who was part of the Denmark Under-17s side, said: "He was always looking to improve and had a plan for every step of the way. "Thomas always had a plan A, B and C, making it clear what was needed through the four phases of play, from our goalkeeper to our attackers - he'd tell us how to press our opponents and the reasons why." Ex-Brondby midfielder Martin Ornskov enjoyed Frank's collaborative approach during their time together at the club. Advertisement "There were times when he'd discuss solutions with us during games," he said. "Far from seeing it as a weakness, I saw that as a strength. "I knew he'd be liked as a person and could evolve as a coach, but to work in the Premier League without having the experience or being a big name was a huge test. "But the thing about Thomas was he was always so curious about football - he lived for the game. I saw a different coach at the end of my three years with him." After Frank Lampard left his role as Chelsea boss in 2023, Frank invited the former England midfielder to watch Brentford train. Advertisement "When you see someone like Thomas and how diligent he is and how well he speaks, you understand he has put thousands of hours into viewing, observing, working out his way, his approach to people," Lampard, now boss at Coventry City, told the Football Daily podcast. BBC Radio London commentator Phil Parry added: "Thomas Frank as a manager is exceptionally gifted, as a person he's great - he's an exceptional coach and leader. "He also accepts he is the head of something that is very important. He stands on the shoulders of other giants who make that thing tick." Chris Sutton was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan. Advertisement
