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Pep Guardiola reveals he has not forgiven Gary Lineker after Barcelona shirt snub when Manchester City boss was ball boy

PEP GUARDIOLA has told Gary Lineker he has never forgiven him for snubbing his repeated requests for a Barcelona shirt while he was a youngster.

Lineker met up with the Manchester City boss for an in depth interview for the BBC Premier League Show this week, looking to get an insight into his coaching methods.

 Pep Guardiola told Gary Lineker he had never forgiven him for his shirt snub
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Pep Guardiola told Gary Lineker he had never forgiven him for his shirt snubCredit: Instagram, @garylineker
 Gary Lineker ignored the pleas of a young Pep Guardiola for his Barcelona shirt
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Gary Lineker ignored the pleas of a young Pep Guardiola for his Barcelona shirtCredit: Getty

But instead Guardiola made a point of pulling him up on the way the former England captain ignored his pleas while he was a ball boy at the Nou Camp.

Lineker spent three years at Barcelona at the height of his career, and his 42 goals in 103 appearances made him a firm favourite with a young Pep.

The transcript of the pair's conversation reveals Guardiola still remembers everything about the repeated snubs.

Pep: Do you know in that period I was a ball boy? I gave you balls when you were playing there.

Lineker: I probably didn’t control them. I didn’t know it was you then. You probably had hair then.

Pep: Johann Cruyff used to put it in the right side for you.

 Pep Guardiola was a ball boy at Barcelona before he became a player and used to idolise Gary Lineker
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Pep Guardiola was a ball boy at Barcelona before he became a player and used to idolise Gary LinekerCredit: Getty Images

Lineker: That I remember

Pep: Maybe it’s uncool to remember but I remember I always asked you for a shirt after the game and you never give me. Never.

Lineker: Now I feel really bad

Pep: I never forgive you.

Lineker: They never allowed us to give away the shirts in those days. Nowadays they have many shirts.

Pep: No. Barcelona were not rich then

Lineker and Guardiola both played for Barcelona under Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, who did so much to chance the culture of the Spanish club.

And Match of the Day host Lineker has revealed he sees similarities between the way Guardiola and Cruyff coach.

 Gary Lineker and Pep Guardiola both played under Johan Cruyff at Barcelona
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Gary Lineker and Pep Guardiola both played under Johan Cruyff at BarcelonaCredit: Bongarts - Getty

Lineker said: "There are definitely similarities between Pep and Cruyff, because both of them are very much teachers, who want to try to improve their players and get the best out of them.

"One difference is that Cruyff was also a bit of a know-it-all about everything when you spoke to him.

"It was part of his make-up and also part of why he was so successful as a manager.

"Guardiola is clearly hugely knowledgeable too, and also something of a perfectionist, but he does not have that slightly arrogant side that Johan perhaps had."

The full interview can be seen on the Premier League Show tonight at 10:00pm on BBC Two


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