06 October 2023 , 12:19
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Manchester City hotshot Erling Haaland has revealed that Pep Guardiola said he would "smash" the forward if he was not focused during training.
Guardiola made the comment before Haaland had even decided to sign for City, when the Norway international was mulling over his future. Having scored a remarkable 86 goals across 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, Haaland had attracted attention from many elite European clubs.
Haaland chose to join City for £51.2million, after Guardiola's men activated the release clause in his Dortmund contract. The 23-year-old has been simply sensational since his move, scoring 52 times in 53 matches last season as City lifted the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
But Haaland has now admitted Guardiola warned him about the demands he would put on him if he did decide to sign for City. "There is so much! He demands a lot in training," Haaland told The Telegraph.
"When I spoke with him before I signed here he said 'I don't care what you do, do whatever you want. But when you have me on the (training) pitch you have to be focused. If not, I will smash you!'"
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After winning the treble, City have started the season well, despite a mini-blip last week with losses against Newcastle and Wolves. Guardiola's side returned to winning ways by beating RB Leipzig on Wednesday, with late goals from Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku proving crucial.
Speaking about the secret behind City's success, Haaland outlined the focus and how the team trains as factors to their incredible record. "That's really how he is and City are as a team and as a club. It's why they have been so successful," Haaland stated.
Erling Haaland won the treble with Manchester City last season"The pressure is there. Look at the pressure we have every single day as a club, as a team, as individuals.But you must focus the one hour we have in training every day and the rest of the day relax, don’t think of football, don't think of anything.
"I think that's a big part of why it’s so successful here with all the staff. After training - don't think of football anymore. You think and you develop on the pitch. When you are on the pitch – you focus. That is what Pep demands."