Guardiola's legacy of genius will echo through all ages for years to come

Guardiola's legacy of genius will echo through all ages for years to comeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pep Guardiola's tactical innovations and brushstrokes of genius will leave an imprint from elite to grassroots footballByPhil McNultyChief football writerPublished3 minutes agoCommentsPep Guardiola's great mentor and inspiration Johan Cruyff once said: "Winning is an important thing, but to have your own style, to have people copy you, to admire you... this is the greatest gift."As Manchester City prepare for the departure of the Catalan genius after a decade in charge, Guardiola's legacy can be seen as a monument to the legendary Dutchman who cast his spell over him as a youngster at Barcelona.Cruyff said: "Winning is just one day. A reputation will last a lifetime."Guardiola's will, indeed, last forever.Six Premier Leagues, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup won - all in his own brilliant style, or at least the style he feels Cruyff bequeathed him.And it is one that has been admired and copied - a gift left behind for the domestic game to study for years to come.Guardiola openly admits - with a hefty helping of modesty, it should be stressed - he "knew nothing" about football until he fell under Cruyff's instruction, describing him as: "The most influential person in football history."The high point of Guardiola's relationship with Cruyff came when Barcelona won the European Cup (now Champions League) for the first time against Sampdoria at Wembley in 1992. He was the Barca academy graduate who took his place in the so-called 'Dream Team' alongside stellar names such as goalscorer Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup and Hristo Stoichkov. Now, as Cruyff did in Spain, Guardiola has created a legacy that has changed the face of football at every level in England.In his decade at City, Guardiola has not just shaped...