Anyone walking into Manchester City’s training base this season has been greeted by the same sight: Pep Guardiola tearing around as if he only arrived yesterday, not a decade ago.
His new backroom team — still settling into their roles — have been taken aback by the sheer force of energy he brings to every hour of the day.
Ageing? Tiring? Easing off? Not a chance.
With the trip to Crystal Palace coming up on Sunday, Kolo Toure stepped in to cover Guardiola’s media responsibilities.
And judging by how he spoke, the former defender seems just as buzzed by the environment as everyone else.
Toure’s View From the Inside
Toure, who returned to the club in the summer as first-team coach, talked openly about how invigorating it’s been to work under Guardiola.
For him, the surprise isn’t that City are still pushing for silverware — it’s that the manager behaves like he’s only just getting started.
“I still can’t believe how much energy he turns up with every day,” Toure admitted, shaking his head almost in admiration.
“After everything he’s achieved in the Premier League? It’s amazing.”
He praised Guardiola’s passion in team meetings and training sessions, describing a squad that feeds off the intensity.
With City sitting just two points behind Arsenal and Guardiola having 18 months left on his deal, there’s no hint of anyone coasting.
A Squad Fueled by Spirit and Bite
According to Toure, City’s performances reflect the internal atmosphere.
The results, the reactions, even the fight for scraps on the pitch — they all trace back to the manager’s daily demands.
He noted that while City have always been stylish, there’s a new layer of ferocity this season.
Winning second balls, snapping into challenges, and keeping the tempo high have all become trademarks of this refreshed side.
“That aggression… that push for every loose ball — that’s what’s changed from last season,” he said with a grin.
A Coaching Role Carved Out His Own Way
Toure has settled into a more personal, hands-on job this year.
As a former centre-back, he’s pulled from his own career to help individual players — including Erling Haaland — understand what defenders hate and how best to exploit them.
His own managerial experience, including a difficult run at Wigan in 2022, hasn’t dampened his ambitions.
He still wants to step back into management one day, and working under Guardiola is proving to be a masterclass in its own right.
Empowered by Pep’s Philosophy
One of the things that surprised Toure most was how much freedom he was given from the outset.
Guardiola didn’t want a clone. He wanted Toure to be exactly who he is.
“He told me straight away: ‘Just be yourself,’” Toure explained, calling it one of the most refreshing instructions he’s ever received.
“Some managers want you boxed into their way of doing things.
Not Pep. He believes every coach brings something unique.”
His responsibilities range from detailed video sessions with players to technical finishing and defensive guidance, and even planning sessions together with assistant manager Pep Lijnders.
Bringing Back His Trademark Energy
If there’s one thing people remember about Toure as a player, it’s his infectious personality.
He insists that hasn’t changed. Now he pours that energy into mentoring, motivating, and bridging the gap between players and the broader coaching team.
And with Guardiola still running at full throttle, Toure and the rest of the staff are doing everything they can to match that pace.
What’s Next?
If the atmosphere inside the City camp is anything to go by, Guardiola isn’t easing into his final 18 months — he’s sprinting through them.
The staff, the players, and especially Kolo Toure are simply trying to keep up with a manager who doesn’t understand the idea of slowing down
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