"I didn't know he was coming," said Challinor.
The manager joked that his players underperformed during that specific match because they seemed aware of the high-profile spectator in the stands.
"I probably wish he hadn't, because some of our players almost played like they knew he was there and if there was any convincing that they weren't going to sign for Man City, they got it based on how we performed in the first half and throughout the course of that game," Challinor said.
Guardiola's Influence on English Football
Challinor, who analyzed Manchester City's tactics during his Pro Licence studies, credited Guardiola with fundamentally changing how football is approached across all levels of the British game.
"He (Guardiola) has thrown himself into what the culture of this country is and what the pyramid looks like right the way down, which is something that not all managers from different countries do," Challinor said.
He emphasized that the tactical adjustments introduced by Guardiola have trickled down significantly, even impacting how non-league sides build possession from the defensive line.
"I think he's influenced every single manager within British football," Challinor said.
Reflecting on the evolution of domestic tactics over the past two decades, Challinor reiterated that modern playing habits and behaviors stem largely from Guardiola's arrival in England.
"I think there are lots of managers previously who have changed the way British football is played or led, the habits, the behaviours, all those things, but if you cast your mind back 15, 20 years ago, around how football was played, it's completely different," Challinor said.
