Pep Guardiola advises Japan's rugby team before World Cup
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Pep Guardiola has conquered the football world as both a player and manager. Now the Bayern Munich coach is hoping his methods can benefit the oval-ball game too.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, famed for turning Barcelona into Europe's finest side before moving to Germany, has been offering advice to the Japan rugby union team.
Japan coach Eddie Jones says he sounded out Guardiola for a few tips before next summer's World Cup, where the Asian side are targeting a first tournament win since 1991.
"He is the best soccer coach in the world and you always want to learn from the best," said the Australian.
"When you get the chance to learn from the best it's a fantastic opportunity."
Former Wallabies coach Jones says he had a "really good meeting" with Guardiola after spending time in Munich to analyse the training sessions of the German champions.
Jones added that he wanted to teach his team to be "tactically more flexible".
"Rugby and soccer are very similar in that you always want to move the ball into space and Bayern Munich and his previous team Barcelona played the most fantastic passing game you have ever seen. The principles are exactly the same," he told Japanese news agency Kyodo News.
"The very best soccer teams vary their depth and formation in order to make the most of the space."
Japan have been drawn in Pool B of next year's World Cup, which will be held in England, alongside Samoa, South Africa, Scotland and United States.
