Former Arsenal star Giovanni van Bronckhorst reveals he dreams of managing in the Premier League
Former Arsenal star Giovanni van Bronckhorst has his sights set on the Premier League for his next managerial role.
The Dutchman credits Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for helping him develop as a coach.
The 44-year-old Guangzhou R&F boss previously spent five months studying Guardiola’s methods during a sabbatical to help shape his philosophy and approach to coaching.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst his sights set on the Premier League for his next managerial role
The former Barcelona and Arsenal left-back visited several clubs within the City Football Group to gain an understanding of the organisation’s model but reveals that his time with Guardiola was the most valuable.
‘Last year I spent five months with the City group and a lot of time in Manchester with Pep,’ he told Van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports News.
‘He was very open. He talked about the training sessions, and I could watch and see everything and talk with his staff.
‘Those are moments you can see him really in action, and he is a very special coach.
‘Those months with him in Manchester, I could see a lot of things I didn’t see before, and it helped to develop me as a coach.
‘Pep is a coach at the moment who is influencing a lot of young coaches. And he’s not the only one, Jurgen Klopp is doing a great job at Liverpool.’
The Dutchman had previously been given a role behind the scenes at Manchester City
Van Bronckhorst was named the new manager of Chinese side Guangzhou R&F this year
Van Bronckhorst, who left Feyenoord after four years in charge and guiding them to the Eredivisie title in 2017, wanted a behind-the-scenes look at the football and business side of CFG ahead of his move to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.
Having only taken the role at Guangzhou R&F earlier this year, Van Bronckhorst admits he would like his next managerial position to be in the Premier League.
‘At the moment I’m enjoying my work in China,’ he said.
‘But as a player, I had ambition, and as a coach, I have ambition. The Premier League for me is the number one league in the world to be working at and, for me, it is definitely an ambition to work in.
‘I always said if I could coach the teams I played for, it would be a big dream.’
Van Bronckhorst won the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup twice at Arsenal
During his time as a player, Van Bronckhorst won the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Cup twice at Arsenal – appearing 42 times in all competitions during his spell from 2001-2003.
Followed by three successful years at Rangers Rangers between 1998 and 2001 – playing over 70 times.
Reflecting on his time in Scotland, he said: ‘I can only look with pride and a smile on my face on my wonderful years at Rangers.’
‘The gap between Rangers and Celtic is getting closer and hopefully Steven Gerrard will make Rangers champions again. He’s doing a really good job.’
