The arrival of Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager has sparked great interest among sports fans who are keen to see if the master manager can replicate the success he had at Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet one of the first headlines made by the 45-year-old Spaniard came in an off field decision that sheds a fascinating light on the work that goes on behind the scenes at top level sport.
The papers lapped up the fact that almost as soon as he walked through the door, pizza was off the menu for the players and a strict diet regime was imposed. Anyone who fails to abide by weight restrictions finds themselves not training with the first team.
French full back Gael Clichy told The Independent: “You often hear managers say being healthy is really important, but with him, if your weight is too high, you’re not training with the team.”
He added: “Of course, you have quality, but you have to know that if your weight is 60 kilos and you are on 70 kilos, then you cannot play football because you’re going to get injured and get your team in trouble. That’s important.”
Crucially, Clichy went on to say: “You don’t have success without being focused on details.”
We might think of top sports stars being pampered prima donnas but the truth is that it is a scientific and rigorous route to the top and it’s not easy.
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, at the very top of the game, is testament to that. He might have a particular image among some onlookers but his dedication to his fitness has undoubtedly helped him become one of the games modern greats. In fact, the Portuguese player has probably made as much money from his image off the field as on it through the work he’s put in at the gym.
Earlier this year he revealed – upon the launch of his latest underwear range no less – his 15-point health and fitness plan to look as good as he does.
It includes 30-minute cardio bursts, bedroom abs sessions, a high protein diet and no alcohol.
The insight of Clichy and Ronaldo shows that, contrary to the image, the world’s biggest sports stars have a full time task on their plate just to stay at the top of their game. When they’re not practising their skills, they must still focus on the food and fitness work that will help them to perform.
People like Darren Burgess also become vital behind the scenes operators. Burgess has worked with Liverpool FC among others before moving to Port Adelaide AFL Club. As head of performance management he’s tasked with collecting and analysing data on players to push them further still in their fitness regime.
Each player trains wearing a GPS unit and then individual algorithms relay information to Burgess and the backroom staff. Blood samples also help them to assess muscle stress and damage during training and matches, with the insight incorporated into training programmes.
Budding athletes might not have the benefit of a Burgess to help them, but they can learn the importance of a personalized plan that takes into account their own body and circumstances. The experience of footballers also shows how what happens off the field is as important as what’s on it – with diet in particular an important part of the process. Individuals can embrace these lessons and make sure they pay as much attention to what goes into their body as the way they exercise (see www.fysiqalnutrition.com for help).
A strong regime in and out of the gym, on and off the field, is essential for the world’s biggest sports stars. Over the course of the season we’ll certainly see if Pep’s pizza ban sees City ‘topping’ the table…