Pep Guardiola
Fabregas played under the Catalan coach for one season at Barcelona prior to the manager’s departure at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
Speaking about Guardiola, Fabregas cited his influence on new tactical innovations:
“Guardiola because of how he brought new things into football. He changed football in a way; he brought out the false nine.”
Lionel Messi played the false nine on several occasions during Guardiola’s time at Barca, and Man City famously won the league title without an out-and-out striker in 2022.
