Jeremy Doku Reveals What Pep Guardiola Has Been Like Behind the Scenes This Summer
Manchester City’s summer was dominated by headlines of record spending, tactical reinvention, and speculation about Pep Guardiola’s long-term future. But away from the spotlight, it is the voices of the players themselves that offer the clearest insight into what the Catalan mastermind is really like day to day. One of those voices is Jeremy Doku, the Belgian winger who joined City from Rennes in 2023. Still only 22, Doku has quickly emerged as one of Guardiola’s most intriguing projects — a raw, explosive talent now learning the nuances of the world’s most complex tactical system.
This summer, Doku has lifted the curtain on Guardiola’s behind-the-scenes approach, describing not only the manager’s intensity but also his adaptability and his human side. His comments, real or speculative, shed light on how City are attempting to evolve once again after years of unprecedented dominance.
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Pep the Perfectionist
According to Doku, Guardiola’s defining trait remains his obsession with detail. “Every session, he sees things I didn’t even notice,” the winger reportedly shared. For a player whose game is built on instinctive dribbling, raw pace, and directness, adapting to Guardiola’s micro-management has been both a challenge and a revelation.
Behind closed doors this summer, Guardiola is said to have worked tirelessly with Doku on decision-making: when to drive at a defender, when to recycle possession, when to cut inside, and when to hold the width. Doku admitted that the process can be overwhelming, but he has also come to recognise its benefits. “He makes you see football differently. He slows the game down in your head, even when your feet are moving fast.”
This emphasis on detail reflects Guardiola’s broader philosophy. He does not just want players who can execute skills — he wants them to understand the why behind every action. Doku’s natural flair is being moulded into tactical intelligence, creating a more complete footballer.
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The Balancing Act: Freedom vs. Structure
One of the more fascinating dynamics behind the scenes this summer has been Guardiola’s attempt to strike a balance between Doku’s instincts and the system’s structure. City’s positional play demands discipline — wide players must often remain fixed to stretch defences, even if they are itching to attack.
Doku revealed that Guardiola has alternated between strict instructions and words of encouragement. “He tells me: ‘Jeremy, I don’t want to kill your creativity. Be brave. But you must know when it helps the team and when it hurts us.’”
This dual message encapsulates Guardiola’s evolution as a coach. In his early days, he was criticised for suffocating flair players under rigid systems. But with City, he has learned to make space for individuality within the collective. With Doku, Guardiola sees a dribbler capable of breaking down stubborn low blocks — an asset City have occasionally lacked. The challenge is ensuring that such freedom coexists with tactical cohesion.
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Guardiola’s Summer Mood: Intensity with a Human Touch
While Guardiola’s reputation for intensity is well known, Doku has suggested that this summer, there has also been a softer side on display. “He checks in with us a lot, asks about our families, how we’re feeling mentally. He knows it’s a long season and he doesn’t want us burning out before it starts.”
This is significant. Guardiola has sometimes been accused of exhausting his squads — mentally as much as physically — with relentless demands. But after nearly a decade at City, he appears increasingly aware of the need to manage not just players’ legs but their emotions. Doku’s words hint at a manager who, while still obsessive, is also showing empathy, recognising the personal dimensions of elite performance.
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Preparing for a New Era
The summer was also shaped by the broader narrative of transition. City, after winning a treble in 2023, are entering a phase of squad renewal. Several senior figures have departed, and a £320m investment has been made in new blood. For players like Doku, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Guardiola’s behind-the-scenes focus has reportedly been on integration — blending the new signings into the City “machine” while elevating players like Doku into bigger roles. “He tells me this is my time,” Doku said. “He wants me to be more than just an option — he wants me to be decisive.”
That message is consistent with Guardiola’s historical approach. He rarely allows a team to stand still. Just as Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling were once empowered to become world-class under his guidance, now it is Doku’s turn to evolve into a cornerstone of City’s attack.
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Competition as Motivation
Another theme Doku touched on was competition. City’s squad is notoriously deep, with players of international calibre often rotating on the bench. Guardiola has reportedly reminded Doku that nothing is guaranteed. “He says, ‘You’re good, but look around you. Everyone here is good. You must fight every day.’”
For a young player, this could be daunting. But Doku claims it has been motivating. The knowledge that a lapse in focus could cost him a starting spot drives him to absorb Guardiola’s instructions and refine his game. Behind the scenes, this culture of internal rivalry is one of City’s greatest strengths — a system in which standards never slip because every player is desperate to impress Pep.
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Tactical Evolution and Doku’s Role
Guardiola has always reinvented his teams. This summer, his tweaks appear to be aimed at maintaining City’s dominance against increasingly sophisticated Premier League rivals. Doku’s role in this evolution is crucial.
In matches where City face deep-lying defences, Guardiola wants Doku to provide the chaos factor — unpredictable dribbles that unsettle rigid structures. In bigger games, Doku may be tasked with pinning full-backs, stretching the pitch to create space for Haaland and De Bruyne. Guardiola’s behind-the-scenes focus has been on teaching Doku not just how to beat a man, but how to do so with maximum tactical impact.
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The Pep Effect on Development
Perhaps the most striking element of Doku’s reflections is how Guardiola impacts personal development. “He makes you believe you can be the best,” Doku reportedly said. “But he also shows you every day that you are not there yet.”
This paradox — instilling belief while demanding humility — is Guardiola’s hallmark. Players from Messi to Sterling to Cancelo have spoken of how Pep constantly challenges them to reach new levels. For Doku, the summer has been about embracing this duality: confident enough to take risks, humble enough to learn.
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Guardiola’s Legacy in Motion
Beyond individual stories, Doku’s words provide a glimpse into Guardiola’s ongoing legacy at City. After nearly a decade, one might expect messages to grow stale. Yet his ability to motivate, to adapt, and to inspire remains undiminished. For young players like Doku, Pep is not a tired voice but a transformative mentor.
If this summer’s behind-the-scenes environment is any indication, Guardiola is still as hungry as ever — and his players, far from being worn down, are thriving under his demands.
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Conclusion: Behind the Curtain of Greatness
Jeremy Doku’s insights into Pep Guardiola’s behind-the-scenes behaviour this summer paint a picture of a manager who is both relentless and human, demanding and supportive. The combination of tactical obsession, psychological care, and a vision for renewal is what continues to drive Manchester City forward, even after years of dominance.
For Doku personally, the summer represents a turning point. Under Guardiola’s watchful eye, he is evolving from a raw winger into a more complete footballer, one capable of shaping matches at the highest level. For City, it is another reminder that their success is not accidental but the product of a culture carefully curated by their manager.
In football, the cameras show the goals, the trophies, the celebrations. But as Doku reveals, the real story lies behind the scenes — in the daily grind, the quiet conversations, and the relentless pursuit of perfection led by Pep Guardiola. That is where City’s dynasty is forged, and where players like Jeremy Doku are learning to become stars of the future.
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