Haaland Opens Up on Guardiola, World Cup Dreams, and Football Obsession in New Podcast Interview
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the latest episode of “The Rest Is Football” offers a rare glimpse into the mind of Erling Haaland, revealing his intense dedication to the game, his admiration for manager Pep Guardiola, and the profound importance of Norway’s recent World Cup qualification. The podcast, featuring the Manchester City striker alongside football legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, delves into topics ranging from on-pitch frustrations to off-field life with his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
The conversation began on a celebratory note, with Lineker playfully suggesting Haaland’s prolific scoring rate could push the podcast’s total goal tally to unprecedented heights. Haaland, though, demonstrated a surprising level of self-awareness and team spirit, even after meaningful achievements. “I will be honest. When I had scored five goals against Leipzig, of course I wanted the sixth as well,” he said with a smile. Though, he also emphasized the importance of respecting teammates, explaining that expressing anger at being substituted could be detrimental to team morale. “It would have been really disrespectful to the person being replaced if I was angry. That’s the last thing I want to be,” he stated.
A Girlfriend’s Plea for Football-Free Time
The conversation shifted to Haaland’s life outside of football, with Shearer inquiring about his downtime activities. The Norwegian revealed his unwavering passion for the sport, even when not actively playing. “I’m a football fan. Yesterday I had dinner,and then I checked if there were any matches being played. It was United against West Ham then, so I thought I could wear it,” he recounted.
Though, his dedication isn’t always met with enthusiasm at home. Haaland shared a humorous anecdote about his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, expressing her fatigue with his constant football viewing. “She said she is so tired of football. We look at it all the time. Then I said ‘Yes, but that’s why we’re sitting here’,” he laughed.
Guardiola’s Unmatched Work Ethic
The discussion then turned to the influence of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Haaland praised the Spaniard as a “football genius,” but revealed that it was Guardiola’s relentless work ethic that truly surprised him. “People talk about the genius all the time. for me, it was the work ethic that surprised me the most. He is the hardest worker in the club. The first to arrive and the last to leave the training facility,” Haaland explained. He believes this dedication permeates the entire club, driving their success.
Haaland also recalled advice from his father, Alfie, about choosing a club based on the coach, cautioning against prioritizing a manager over the overall stability of the organization. However, he ultimately found guardiola to be a transformative figure in his career.
the Weight of World Cup Qualification
The conversation eventually centered on Norway’s historic qualification for the World Cup, a moment that clearly resonated deeply with Haaland. He admitted to harboring fears that he might never experience the tournament during his career. “Yes. It is difficult to qualify. When the years go by without a championship, you think ‘What is not working?'” he confessed.
Haaland emphasized the significance of the achievement, especially given Norway’s long absence from the competition – his father, Alfie, was part of the squad the last time they qualified, before Haaland was even born. He described the hunger and determination he witnessed within the team, particularly during their crucial qualifier against moldova. “Against Moldova, the goal difference was an significant focus, and when I saw the hunger in the eyes of my teammates, I understood that ‘Now we are where we should be’,” he said. He acknowledged the duty that comes with representing his nation on the world stage, stating, “It is big, but there is also a lot of responsibility. I have felt the pressure for a long time.”
You can listen to the full interview on “The Rest Is Football” wherever you get your podcasts.
