Pep, up close and personal in new book

Posted Wednesday, September 03, 2014 by Marca.com

Entering Pep Guardiola's inner sanctum is no mean feat. Notoriously private, the Bayern coach has always shied away from interviews, only sticking his head above the parapet for press conferences. This is why Martí Perarnau's new book, 'Herr Pep', released this week, is such a big deal: it offers a rare glimpse into Pep's personal and professional life.

A Spanish high jump legend who still holds the national record (2.21 metres) and competed at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Perarnau first got to know Guardiola up close when he wrote 'Senda de Campeones', his 2011 book about La Masia.

'Herr Pep' chronicles the 200 days Perarnau spent in Munich shadowing Pep last season, the Catalan tactician's first in the Allianz Arena hotseat. "It was a unique experience, getting to witness the workings of a team from the inside and seeing what a high-profile figure like Guardiola is really all about. You can only get a proper appreciation of all that in person".

Guardiola gave the journalist and author permission to stay at his side at all times, allowing him to watch behind-closed-doors training sessions and see him work his magic with players at first hand. The only condition was that the book couldn't be published until the campaign was over. "I spent a year getting to know the real Pep. I had my own pre-conceptions and labels I associated with him, but now I've had the chance to discover what he's actually like. The bad moments are the most revealing".