What Pep Guardiola once said about Barry Bannan speaks volumes about the Sheffield Wednesday star

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Barry Bannan has been a pivotal figure for Sheffield Wednesday since joining the club in August 2015, and even Pep Guardiola once identified his brilliance.

His commitment to the club goes beyond the pitch; in a recent development, Bannan was praised for a community deed despite contract uncertainty, showcasing his dedication even when his future at the club was unclear.

Furthermore, Bannan’s leadership and camaraderie were evident when he sent a heartfelt message to Josh Windass as his Sheffield Wednesday exit was confirmed, highlighting his strong bonds with teammates. 

Even amidst speculation, Barry Bannan has continued to train with Sheffield Wednesday, demonstrating his unwavering professionalism.

His impact extends beyond statistics, as highlighted by none other than Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola praised Barry Bannan

It’s not very often you’d expect to see Man City lining up against Sheffield Wednesday, but it was a classic FA Cup tie in March 2020.

The game ended 1-0 to the visitors Man City with the only goal from Sergio Aguero, but in the post match presser Guardiola waxed lyrical over Owls’ legend Barry Bannan.

During the game, Bannan even managed to nutmeg Spanish World Cup winner David Silva. 

Guardiola revealed he’d identified the Scot as the key threat when asked about the Owls’ battling display: “I’m not the guy to judge them, so I think my colleague (Garry Monk) can explain better but we knew about the physicality; Bannan is an incredible player with quality who made the passes for the fast players up front.”

“I think they look for people faster. That’s why they didn’t play with Nuhiu but we controlled them and we didn’t concede many set pieces and the second balls were good. I think we deserved to win.”

Praise from the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach is certainly something you’d never forget.

Barry Bannan’s Sheffield Wednesday stats

Barry Bannan has truly been a mainstay for Sheffield Wednesday since his arrival in 2015. He has consistently demonstrated his class and influence in the heart of the midfield, earning the adoration of the Hillsborough faithful.

With an impressive 447 appearances for the Owls, contributing 34 goals and 72 assists, his impact on the pitch has been undeniable.

Throughout his tenure, Bannan has been central to some of Wednesday’s most significant matches.

A standout performance came in the incredible League One Play-Off semi-final comeback against Peterborough United in May 2023, a game Bannan himself described as the ‘greatest’ he’d ever played in, showcasing his leadership in a truly historic moment for the club.

Another memorable occasion was scoring what he called the ‘best goal of his career’ – a long-range wonder strike against MK Dons in April 2022.

His consistent excellence has solidified his place among the club’s all-time top appearance makers.