In his second season in blue across 2023/24, Ortega Moreno lifted his game to new heights, helping us reach the FA Cup final for a second straight year as well as playing a key role in the absence of Ederson in the run-in to winning our fourth straight Premier League title.
And the 31-year-old, who penned a one-year contract extension today, believes part of the reason his game has kept developing is because Guardiola has taught him a new way to view football as the boss pushes his players to new heights.
“Sometimes it’s really hard because he [Pep Guardiola] tries to be perfect but obviously everyone knows to be perfect is impossible,” said Ortega Moreno.
“But it’s enjoyable because if you work under Pep, he opens your view of football in a completely new way, it’s incredible.
“For example, when I watch football now I watch it so differently to before because you get so many inputs off Pep.
“He’s incredible. He’s a top guy and it’s just a privilege to be a part of his team.”
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Guardiola was not the only member of the backroom staff to receive glowing praise from the German stopper.
Ortega Moreno also hailed the impact of goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor in his development since joining the Blues in July 2022.
“Xabier is incredible,” said the goalkeeper.
“It’s what he sees in you and he is a guy who doesn’t try to change you as a person and as a keeper, he is just there.
“For example, he’ll say ‘you do this in this way, try it in the other way, if you don’t like it do it your way but just try it’.
“And you know there’s no pressure to change just for him, he’s just there for you and tries to bring out the best of you.”
Hear Ortega Moreno’s new contract interview in full via the video player above…
