'My aim is to be the best, but others will have to decide'

WHILE he has a growing stable of emerging managers who have played under him, Pep Guardiola may be responsible for convincing Rodri NOT to go into coaching

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

The City midfielder, who has combined a professional football career with a business degree, has felt for a while he had an eye for spotting talent, but has been convinced further to become a sporting director after witnessing Guardiola close up.

“I see Txiki [Begiristain] and I think what a good life this guy has,” laughed the midfielder ahead of today’s FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United at Wembley.

“I see Pep so stressed going here and there, talking to the players, I see Txiki and he is the most important part of this. He decides who is coming in, what is good for the team. In modern football, I think sporting directors are so important – key for me.”

If it would be a surprise to see such a strong disciple of Guardiola’s football ignore coaching after his playing days, teammates, fans, and opposition alike have become used to Rodri being one step ahead.

After a chastening first year at the Etihad which he spent running backwards chasing the ball, the Spaniard has improved incrementally each season and has now mastered his own spin on the Fernandinho role that is the fulcrum of success in the manager’s set-up.

Where the Brazilian’s style earned City a reputation from rivals of tactical fouling for his efforts in breaking up counter-attacks, Rodri has made his mark as a more cultured enforcer despite putting in similar numbers to Fernandinho in terms of tackles.

And while many Blues feel he is not talked up highly enough, especially in the conversation around the best holding midfielders around as Casemiro has earned praise for transforming United, the 27-year-old is intelligent enough to appreciate the difficulty of comparing different styles.