Pep Guardiola snubs the north London derby as he takes his mind off Arsenal and the Premier League title race with visit to former club

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola paid a visit to former club Brescia on Sunday, opting to avoid watching title rivals Arsenal in the north London derby. 

The Catalan, after leading his side to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, jetted to Italy to watch the Serie C side in action against Pro Patria. 

Brescia’s game, which they won 3-2, was on the same day as Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham, which saw the Gunners again extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.

But the high stakes didn’t sway Guardiola, with the City boss seemingly enjoying his day out as he was shown smiling, watching the game and meeting players and staff at the club. 

It was a visit to the side he played for between 2001 and 2002, and again in 2003, before going on to become a legend as manager of Barcelona.

The official Serie C Instagram account shared snaps of the visit, with the caption reading: ‘Pep snubs Arsenal, goes to watch Brescia.’

The Manchester City manager played for the club between 2001-02 then again in 2003

Guardiola donned a flat cap and grey jacket as he was taken around the Stadio Mario Rigamonti stadium, before settling down to watch the action. 

Brescia have been in Italy’s top division as recently as the 2019-20 season, but have had a tough time of things since, and are now second in Serie C as they target a return to Serie B. 

They are also the club that paved the way for Andrea Pirlo – the Italian making his way through the club’s academy – and Luca Toni also played for them.