Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/635436
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2016 23 CITY have confirmed that Bay- ern Munich coach Guardiola will succeed current boss Manuel Pellegrini when the Chilean's contract expires this summer. Henry, who played under Guar- diola during his time at Barce- lona, thinks the 45-year-old will bring the same type of success to the Etihad as he did during his four years in charge of Barca. That means Guardiola helping to guide City to success in the Champions League, a tourna- ment which they have struggled to make an impact in during re- cent seasons. In contrast, Guardiola won Eu- rope's premier club competition on two occasions while manager of Barcelona. "People always said it was an easy job at Barcelona, it wasn't an easy job at Barcelona, trust me," Henry told Sky Sports News HQ. "After my first season [the season before Guardiola took charge], it was very difficult, the fans were really unhappy because we did not win everything. "But he was from there and people were patient with him. But I can assure you that what he brought was outstanding. Now to compare the two teams - he is going to come to a team that can play already with players that have won stuff with experience. "So it's pretty similar. The thing that I hope he can do if Man City does not win the Champi- ons League this year, I think in the three years they will be very close to winning it." Guardiola will not be afraid to give youth a chance when he takes over at City, as he did at both the Nou Camp and more recently the Allianz Arena, says Henry. "At my time at Barca, he put on the field through the ranks of the youth team the likes of Pedro and [Sergio] Busquets. Bojan was al- ready there, also Jeffren - and I am not going to name all of them as it is a long list," said the former Arsenal and Barca forward. "He did the same with Bayern Munich and I would like to think that obviously he is going to bring some big names, because he has the resources. "But he is not scared of bringing young talent through, whether they are in the academy or young talent in Europe that will not be a big deal of money, like Kings- ley Coman, who is now at Bayern Munich." However, as well as handing youngsters opportunities in the first team, Guardiola will also look to attract some of Europe's finest players to City over the next few years. "Obviously if you are a Man City fan right now, you can dream about having some great players," Henry said. "Not only because it is a great club and you have the resources, but Pep Guardiola will be the guy who can attract any player in the world that wants to be coached by him." Guardiola's appointment at City, though, has only served to increase the pressure on their ri- vals at Old Trafford, and in par- ticular Manchester United man- ager Louis van Gaal, according to Henry. "They already have, historical- ly, a great man in charge and Van Gaal is still there," he said. "Now if they decide to go for someone, is Jose Mourinho going to be the answer? Laurent Blanc could also be a good shout as he is doing ever so well at Paris Saint- Germain and he played there and the fans loved him there, and still love him. "And what about Ryan Giggs? He has been on the bench and waiting for his opportunity to come, and why not? "But Van Gaal is still there and that puts a bit of pressure on Manchester United seeing that Pep Guardiola goes to Manches- ter City. But you have to be care- ful who you take, as we know with Van Gaal, sometimes big names do not guarantee you suc- cess right from the very start." Sport Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Rather cloudy VISIBILITY: Good WIND: Southwest force 2 to 3 becoming West Southwest force 4 overnight SEA: Moderate becoming slight SWELL: Low Northwest becoming negligible Sea Temp.: 17 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 17 º C / 12 º C UV INDEX: 2 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Across 1. Lacking teeth (9) 8. Representative (5) 9. - - - - - Bridge, W. Scottish town (5) 10. Simpler (6) 12. Run away (4) 14. Ray of light (4) 15. Cylindrical wooden container (6) 17. Managed (5) 18. Eating utensil (5) 20. Child (9) Down 2. Be in debt (3) 3. Shred (6) 4. Catalogue (4) 5. Pertaining to the stars (7) 6. Softback (9) 7. Underscore (9) 11. Cleansing preparation (7) 13. Hesitates (6) 16. Paradise (4) 19. Single unit (3) c7 Bxc7 bxc7 Rd6+ c8=Q+ Rd8 Qxd8# FOOTBALL Guardiola great for City - Thierry Henry Manchester City will have a great chance of winning the Champions League under Pep Guardiola, according to Thierry Henry Thierry Henry and Pep Guardiola during their time at Barcelona