‘I’d rather win promotion than beat Pep Guardiola’s Man City and lift FA Cup’
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom admits he is a paid-up member of the Pep Guardiola fan club.
Heckingbottom has never even met Guardiola. This might be because the two of them come from and now operate in different worlds.
Heckingbottom grew up the son of a miner in Royston near Barnsley, while Guardiola came through the ranks at Barcelona, was part of the Johan Cruyff 'dream team' which won the European Cup in 1992 and went on to land an unprecedented 14 trophies as boss.
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Guardiola has spent more than £1billion on countless superstars to help create a dynasty of success at Manchester City. Heckingbottom, meanwhile, is under a transfer embargo at Sheffield United and has made just one signing in the last three windows.
But somehow their two worlds will collide at Wembley in the FA Cup semi final. And Heckingbottom, 45, is relishing the chance to shake hands with someone he reckons deserves comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson when it comes to his impact on English football.
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The former Leeds and Hibs boss said: “Oh yeah, I'm definitely a fan, although you'd get kicked off the park playing his way in the Championship. But I'm a massive fan of anything at the top level, like Champions League games. I have to record them because they're always the same time as the Championship, but I'll watch them all at home.
"He's certainly in that bracket (best managers of all time), because for me, the way he changed things, following Johan Cruyff at Barcelona and now him in the Premier League now with City.
"I look at Sir Alex winning 13 league titles and how many teams he built over such a long period, and just the length of time he spent doing it is unreal, but Pep is now on his way to doing that as well. He's won trophies and has had a length of time at City."
Most people think Guardiola is a genius, but Heckingbottom has been producing some miracles of his own this season. Despite the backdrop of financial problems and ownership speculation, the impressive Yorkshireman has led the Blades to second place in the Championship and within touching distance of the promised land again.
"You can't deny it," said Heckingbottom, who even has the football game Subbuteo set-up inside his training ground office in Shirecliffe, "all the conversations with the board and CEO are about that.
"But at the minute it's not an issue because of where we've got ourselves in the league. But I know it's there. The board know it's there. And that makes it all the more important we achieve something, try to win something. If we manage to get over the line and get promoted, a lot of people will probably sleep a lot easier."
Heckingbottom wants his players to enjoy the occasion and embrace the almighty challenge ahead of them this weekend.
He added: "I've said to the players, all games are massive now with what's at stake. I end up sounding like a right boring b*d! But it's right. This is what you're in it for. There might be a bit of trepidation and anxiety, but we've got to enjoy it too. It's all part of it. So go out and enjoy the day.
"We've got some older players and this is a big thing for them. Facing City at Wembley in a semi final. But I'd still rather win promotion than the FA Cup – I'm being realistic!"
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