"If you're tired of football": Alexander Zverev jokingly offers Pep Guardiola coaching role, reveals feeling 'nervous' in his presence in Wimbledon 3R
Alexander Zverev was in awe of having played in front of Pep Guardiola at Wimbledon. Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer coaches of all time and currently in-charge of European heavyweights Manchester City, was in attendance for Zverev's third-round win over home hope Cameron Norrie on Centre Court on Saturday, July 6. The German also joked about being coached by Guardiola.
Norrie, who was the last-remaining British player in the men's singles draw, struggled to cope with Zverev's explosive serves across the first two sets, with the German taking them 6-4 each. The Brit gave a much better account of himself in the third set. However, it was too little, too late, as Zverev clinched it 7-6(15) following a marathon tiebreak.
During the World No. 4's post-match, on-court interview, the German expressed his gratitude for getting the opportunity to play on Centre Court in front of a star-studded Royal Box, which included Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Zverev also said that upon noticing the Spaniard seated in the Royal Box, he felt "nervous".
"It's an incredible honor to play on this beautiful Centre Court, to play in front of the Royal Box. I mean, we had so many great guests today. For me, football legend Pep Guardiola, I mean, I was... when I saw Pep I got so nervous for a few games there," Zverev said.
The German went on to hilariously request Guardiola to consider managing Bayern Munich, with the Bavarian giants currently on the lookout for a manager. Zverev also jokingly suggested that he is open to being trained by the Spaniard if the latter ever loses interest in soccer.
"Thanks a lot for coming. It's a great privilege, a great honor to play. And by the way, last thing, Bayern Munich needs a coach, man. And if you're tired of football, you can teach me on the tennis court any time," Zverev added.
Alexander Zverev had expressed his disapproval of Bayern Munich's decision to part with Julian Nagelsmann in 2023
In March 2023, Bayern Munich sacked manager Julian Nagelsmann and eventually replaced him with Thomas Tuchel in a bid to improve the team's fortunes. However, Tuchel's arrival did not immediately turn things around for the Bavarian giants.
A month later, Zverev, who has been a lifelong Bayern Munich loyalist, reflected on Nagelsmann's sacking and expressed his belief that Nagelsmann should have been given more time.
"I would have been more patient. Even though Tuchel is one of the best coaches in the world: I don't know how to fire Nagelsmann immediately, even though you're still in three competitions. I found it all a bit hectic at FC Bayern in the last few weeks," Zverev told RTL/ntv.
Zverev is set to face Taylor Fritz in the fourth round at SW19 on Monday, July 8, in what will be a rematch of the pair's 2024 Italian Open quarterfinal clash, which went the World No. 4's way. The German leads Fritz 5-3 in their ATP Tour head-to-head.
If Zverev registers his sixth win over the American on Monday, he will go on to face either 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.