adminLONDON. — Pep Guardiola has certainly wasted little time in shaking things up at Manchester City, with his decision to drop stalwarts Joe Hart and Yaya Toure clearly demonstrating the new manager’s ruthlessness. The England goalkeeper was replaced by Willy Caballero for City’s English Premier League soccer opener against Sunderland and remained on the bench in Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier with Steaua Bucharest, putting his future in question.Toure, meanwhile, has been told he hasn’t yet reached the standards of fitness Guardiola demands of his players and won’t be returning to the side until he does. But Guardiola’s bold calls on selection are nothing new. At each of his clubs, he has been unafraid to shake up the established order, demonstrating that no single player is bigger than the team.
We take a look back at some of Guardiola’s other big decisions over the years.
RONALDINHO
The Brazilian was a Barcelona legend and his goals and assists had thrilled the Nou Camp crowd for the best part of five years.
Under Guardiola’s predecessor, Frank Rijkaard, Ronaldinho had been the first name on the teamsheet, helping them to two league titles and the 2006 Champions League, but there was definitely a feeling around the club that he was past his prime.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta felt Ronaldinho needed a new challenge and Guardiola was in no mood to offer him a reprieve. All good things must come to an end, it would seem, and after turning down nouveau riche Manchester City, Ronaldinho joined Milan.
The Brazilian later admitted that he regretted leaving Barca, especially since he enjoyed playing alongside a flourishing Lionel Messi.
DECO
Deco had been a regular in Rijkaard’s midfield for four seasons, standing out with his passing and work rate as Barcelona started to establish themselves at the top of European football once again. — Mailonline.
Bongani Ndlovu