'It's a few things': Erling Haaland shares why Pep Guardiola can actually be 'annoying' sometimes

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Having worked closely with Pep Guardiola for two and a half seasons, Erling Haaland has seen every side of the Manchester City boss.

Erling Haaland has experienced far more highs than lows in a City shirt and as a result, he will perhaps eternally be grateful to Guardiola for the impact he has had on his career.

Winning the treble and back-to-back Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium, the fact that Manchester City are sitting in fifth place in the English top-flight is unlikely to change his perception of the Catalan tactician.

Haaland revealed Pep Guardiola’s hunger motivates him, disclosing that the six-time Premier League winner has been more driven that ever during the Sky Blues’ struggles this season.

With Haaland signing a record-breaking contract at Manchester City, there is every reason to believe that he could not be any more content with his professional time.

But working with any manager can bring unique challenges.

Erling Haaland says “detail freak” Pep Guardiola can be “annoying”

Especially a coach who is as demanding as Pep Guardiola, who is known to be on a constant pursuit for perfection.

The former Bayern Munich boss also managed Thierry Henry at Barcelona, who admitted would get on his nerves for asking him to stay high and wide as a left-winger despite his desire to run in behind defences.

Henry asked Haaland what annoys him about Pep Guardiola during an interview with CBS Sports: “I agree with the genius part, I agree, for me, he’s the best. You won a treble with him, I won a treble with him but he’s also annoying. Understand where I want I say annoying, I know you will understand but I want to make it clear for people.”

“I’m not saying annoying in a bad way. He wants to win. But for example, me, I was always played as a left-winger as you know at Barcelona. It was always, ‘stay high and wide, don’t come inside’, it was annoying me because I wanted to go in behind so we had our little battle. What’s the annoying Pep [Guardiola] for you?”

“And I know it’s not an easy one, I’m talking in a good way obviously.”

Haaland admitted that Pep Guardiola being as detail-oriented as he is can be “annoying” at times.

“It’s a few things. It’s not many things but it’s a few things.”

“This is something with me as well. Sometimes, he tells me, stay high, don’t come [deep].”

Thierry Henry asked: “So, you want to come and he says don’t come?”

Haaland responded: “Sometimes, yeah.”

Thierry Henry said: “Okay, interesting!”

Haaland added: “He’s such a detail freak and these small details, well, sometimes, it can be annoying if he tells you 20 times, do this, do this, do this and in the end, I’m trying or I’m doing it you know.”

“And as I say, he’s such a hard worker and he studies, or I don’t know if he sees the game differently or whatever.”

“Obviously, he does and this can also sometimes be a bit annoying.”

Haaland, who Martin Odegaard praised clearly thrives under Pep Guardiola, scoring his 17th league goal against Ipswich Town in Manchester City’s latest 6-0 win.

Guardiola, deemed superior to Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to get the best out of the Norwegian megastar.

What is Erling Haaland’s goalscoring record under Pep Guardiola?

Ultimately, Haaland will always appreciate Pep Guardiola for helping him become a domineering figure in a Manchester City shirt.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker’s talent knows no bounds.

But even so, it takes an elite manager to profile world-class according to what they do best and ensure they remain as effective as possible.

With Haaland scoring 112 goals for Manchester City so far, him and Pep Guardiola’s partnership has proven to be a match made in heaven.

Haaland, previously praised by Ange Postecoglou has a case for being the most natural goalscorer to have ever graced the Premier League.

The decorated marksman’s eye for goal, searing pace and tremendous strengths are reasons why he is a truly special number nine.

But with legends of the game such as Wayne Rooney lauding Pep Guardiola highlights how lucky Haaland is to be managed by him.

With the pair set to work together until at least 2027 when Guardiola’s contract expires, teams around Europe have every reason to be fearful.