Emmanuel Adebayor: “Vidic was the tough man, the nastiest, like running into a rock. He could block a striker with a single finger. He walks on you, he says sorry, he kicks you, he says sorry. This guy was ready to kill.”
Robin van Persie: “When I think of him as a footballer, Nemanja puts his head where other players are scared to put their feet. That’s Nemanja."
Jamie Carragher: “My type of defender. Liverpool tried to buy him in January 2006, but our loss was United’s gain. I’d have loved to have played alongside him and I’m sure we could have formed a solid partnership. He loves defending and putting his head in where it hurts.”
Diogo Dalot: "Nemanja Vidic as a “top player” who surpasses all of his rivals."
Michael Carrick: “Vida, simply the best out-and-out defender I’ve seen. Aggression and desire to win at all costs, scared centre-forwards to death!”
Player Profile:
Name: Nemanja Vidić
Age: 42 (Born: October 21, 1981)
Height: 1.90m
Position: Center-Back
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Titovo Užice, Serbia
Citizenship: Serbia
Style of Play:
Vidic challenging Emmanuel Adebayor
Vidić epitomizes the quintessential tough-as-nails defender, renowned for his physicality, bravery, and defensive astuteness. Labeled as a "no-nonsense" center-back, he instills fear in opposition forwards with his uncompromising challenges and unwavering commitment to winning duels. His strength, aerial prowess, and leadership qualities make him a stalwart in defense, capable of thwarting attacks with precision timing and resolute defending.
Despite lacking pace in later years, Vidić compensates with impeccable positioning and decision-making, showcasing his ability to read the game and nullify threats with expert anticipation. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United became legendary, blending Vidić's rugged style with Ferdinand's finesse to form one of the most formidable defensive duos in football history.
Achievements:
Vidic holding the EPL trophy
FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2009, 2011
Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
FA Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2008–09
Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
Best Sportsman of SD Crvena Zvezda: 2002
Serbia's Overseas Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010
Serbian Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2008
Nemanja Vidić's legacy as a defensive titan transcends accolades, epitomizing the essence of resilience, determination, and leadership in football's toughest arena.
What football players and managers have said about him:
Klopp: “Pep is the best manager in the world. In my lifetime, he’s the outstanding manager, the way he influenced football. Many trophies won but he behaves like he's never won anything… the desire is outstanding, I see excellence. Pep is definitely that”
Messi: "Guardiola did football a lot of harm because he made it look so easy and so simple that everyone wanted to copy him, Later I found many 'Guardiolas' out there and you realize what we did and what that was."
Roberto De Zerbi: “I think Pep Guardiol’s football is unreachable because he has shown such football in the UK and Germany and Spain, He is a great trainer and we are all looking at him.”
Mauricio Pochettino: “For me, he is the best. I admire him and think he’s doing a fantastic job not only at Manchester City but in Barcelona and Bayern Munich.”
Thomas Tuchel: “I have the highest respect for Pep because I am a huge admirer of his impact from his first day of professional coaching. The impact at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and now Manchester City.
Marcelo Bielsa: “Pep is a magical Man”
Among the most accomplished managers in football history, Pep Guardiola's exceptional talent shines bright, having achieved remarkable success at a notably young age compared to his peers. His unparalleled strategic brilliance has reshaped football, constantly pushing its limits and positioning him on track to become the most successful manager in history.
He made history as the first manager to secure a treble with two distinct clubs. Guardiola's unprecedented achievements have solidified his reputation as one of the greatest managers of all time, showcasing his ability to accomplish feats never before seen in the world of football.
Pep Guardiola's Journey from Player to Manager:
Pep Guardiola's career started as a young player at Barcelona, where he spent over 15 years developing his skills and eventually becoming a key midfielder for the team. He was mentored by the legendary Johan Cruyff, who saw his tactical brilliance and included him in the renowned Dream Team—Guardiola's time under Cruyff's guidance led to the evolution of possession-based football, now famously known as tiki-taka.
In 2008, Guardiola was appointed as the first-team manager of Barcelona, taking over an underperforming and demotivated squad that had recently won the Champions League under Frank Rijkaard. However, his impact was immediate. Guardiola ushered in an era of unparalleled success, guiding the Blaugrana to numerous trophies. Under his leadership, Barcelona became a dominant force in football, excelling both domestically and internationally.
Guardiola at Barcelona: The Era of Unprecedented Success:
Pep Guardiola being given a guard of honor. Image Credit: FC Barcelona
The pinnacle of Guardiola's managerial career came in 2009 when he led Barcelona to an unprecedented treble, clinching the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League titles—a historic achievement as no Spanish team had ever accomplished this feat before. From 2010 to the end of the 2010-2011 season, Guardiola's Barcelona squad achieved an incredible six trophies in a single calendar year, coming close to winning every possible honor, including the Champions League, league title, and Spanish Super Cup, narrowly missing out on the Copa del Rey. This squad, even more formidable than the treble-winning team, delivered another outstanding season under Guardiola's guidance.
Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich:
Pep Guardiola jubilantly celebrates Bayern Munich's victory in the DFB Pokal final.TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Following his departure from Barcelona, Pep Guardiola took the helm at Bayern Munich, where he made an immediate impact. In his first season, Guardiola guided Bayern to a record-breaking Bundesliga title, becoming the earliest champions in league history, and secured the domestic double with the German Cup trophy.
However, his second season saw Bayern only clinch the league title, which was considered a disappointment by some critics and fans, leading to speculation about Guardiola's future in Germany. Despite the doubts, Guardiola's final season with Bayern in 2014-15 saw him lead the team to his third Bundesliga title and second domestic double with another German Cup triumph. Nevertheless, his time at Bayern was ultimately viewed as falling short of expectations.
Rebuilding at Manchester City:
Pep Guardiola with the treble: Image credit: Sky Sports
Upon taking the reins at Manchester City, doubts surrounded Pep Guardiola's ability to replicate his past success and reclaim his status as a managerial prodigy. His first season in charge presented a significant challenge as the intensity of the Premier League differed greatly from the leagues he had previously managed. The team struggled to adapt to Guardiola's demanding tactics, resulting in a trophyless season and a third-place finish, marking the most disappointing campaign of his career.
Determined to rebuild and reshape the squad, Guardiola addressed defensive weaknesses by making key signings to enhance the team's balance and chemistry. His meticulous attention to detail was evident as he instilled his intricate passing and positional play philosophy in his players. The 2017-2018 season saw a remarkable transformation as Guardiola's Manchester City emerged as a dominant force, breaking records and showcasing an attacking style that was unparalleled.
They clinched the Premier League title with a record-breaking 100 points, demonstrating their superiority over the competition. Guardiola's strategic planning and tactical acumen were instrumental in Manchester City's resurgence, cementing his reputation as one of the top managers in the game.
Guardiola's Legacy and Future Prospects:
Guardiola stepped down after leading Barcelona to victory in the UEFA Champions League twice. Image Credit: Getty
After 38 major honors as a manager, Guardiola's managerial journey has been marked by successes and challenges, showcasing his unwavering commitment to excellence and groundbreaking tactics that have elevated him to the ranks of football's elite managers. Guardiola's enduring legacy cements his position as arguably the best manager in the history of football.
Enter the realm of football's fiercest warriors, and you'll find Gennaro Gattuso, a legendary figure whose name strikes fear into the hearts of opponents. Born on January 9, 1978, in Corigliano Calabro, Italy, Gattuso embodies power, aggression, and an indomitable spirit that transcends the game
What Players and Coaches Said About Him:
Dybala: “He’s crazy but crazy in a good way... Some aren’t that nice, from when we were training, for the hits he gave me in the matches. But it was how he was."
Gattuso: "When I die, I want to go out on a football pitch."
Player Profile:
Name: Gennaro Gattuso
Age: 46 (Born: January 9, 1978)
Height: 1.77m
Position: Central Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Corigliano Calabro, Italy
Citizenship: Italy
Style of Play
Gattuso's playing style epitomized raw power and relentless determination. Renowned as one of the greatest holding midfielders in football history, he dominated the pitch with his physicality, aggression, and unwavering work rate. Despite lacking technical finesse, Gattuso compensated with sheer strength, quick reactions, and impeccable positioning. His combative approach and tenacious tackling earned him the moniker "Ringhio" (Snarl), striking fear into opponents with his ferocious challenges. Gattuso's partnership with Andrea Pirlo exemplified his role as a defensive stalwart, shielding the backline and disrupting opposition attacks with unmatched intensity. Beyond his footballing prowess, Gattuso's leadership, competitive spirit, and unyielding determination set him apart as a true warrior of the game.
Achievements
1X World Cup Winner
2X Champions League Winner
1X FIFA Club World Cup Winner
2X Italian Champion
2X UEFA Supercup Winner
3X Italian Super Cup Winner
1X Italian Cup Winner
1X European Under-21 Champion
2X Italian Youth Champion (Primavera)
Gennaro Gattuso's legacy as a football warrior transcends mere statistics, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring generations with his unmatched passion and relentless.
Cristiano Ronaldo: "Scholes is the best I've played with and he helped me a lot when I was young. He's amazing."
Thierry Henry: "[Manchester] United always had many amazing players, but whenever we faced them we were always, always, always scared of what Paul Scholes could do. Ask anyone from that old Arsenal team, they will tell you the same."
Lionel Messi: "At La Masia, his name was mentioned a lot. He's a teacher."
Xavi Hernandez: "[He was] a role model. For me – and I really mean this – he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years. I've spoken to Xabi Alonso about him."He's spectacular, he has it all: the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly. Players love him."
Pep Guardiola: "Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes – he is the best midfielder of his generation. I would have loved to have played alongside him."
Andrea Pirlo: "The truly great English midfield player of the generation. Didn’t just play the game, he thought about the game. You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding."
Ronaldinho: "I want to pass like him. Who taught him how to do that?"
Pele: "If he was playing with me, I would have scored so many more."
Zidane: "What does it feel like to be the best player in the world?," asked an interviewer. The response: "I don’t know, ask Paul Scholes."
Player Profile:
Name: Paul Aaron Scholes
Age: 49 (Born: Nov 16, 1974)
Height: 1.68m
Position: Central Midfield
Shirt Number: 18
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Salford
Citizenship: England
Paul Scholes Style of Play:
Scholes was a marvel on the field, renowned for his technical brilliance. He possessed an array of skills, from accurate passing and intelligent movement to powerful long-range shooting. Initially a striker in his youth, Scholes transformed into a well-rounded, tenacious playmaker, showcasing versatility in various midfield roles. His stamina, vision, work rate, and positional sense allowed him to seamlessly transition between defensive, offensive, wide, and playmaking positions. Scholes was celebrated for his late attacking runs, exceptional ability to combine with teammates, and a profound capacity to read the game, controlling the tempo of play. His extraordinary range of passing often initiated dangerous attacking plays after winning back possession.
Career Stats:
Club Career Games: 716
Club Career Goals: 155
Club Career Assists: 82
Achievements:
1. 2x Champions League winner
2. 1x FIFA Club World Cup winner
3. 11x English Champion
4. 4x English FA Cup winner
5.2x English League Cup winner
6. 5x English Super Cup winner
7. 1x Intercontinental Cup winner
Paul Scholes, a legend in his own right, continues to be an inspiration and a symbol of football excellence.
Emmanuel Adebayor: “Vidic was the tough man, the nastiest, like running into a rock. He could block a striker with a single finger. He walks on you, he says sorry, he kicks you, he says sorry. This guy was ready to kill.”
Robin van Persie: “When I think of him as a footballer, Nemanja puts his head where other players are scared to put their feet. That’s Nemanja."
Jamie Carragher: “My type of defender. Liverpool tried to buy him in January 2006, but our loss was United’s gain. I’d have loved to have played alongside him and I’m sure we could have formed a solid partnership. He loves defending and putting his head in where it hurts.”
Diogo Dalot: "Nemanja Vidic as a “top player” who surpasses all of his rivals."
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