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Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • Police arrest 20-year-old man who slapped Jack Grealish after Man City-Utd clash

    Police arrest 20-year-old man who slapped Jack Grealish after Man City-Utd clash

    A man has been charged following an alleged attack on Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish at Old Trafford on Sunday.

    The incident took place after City’s Premier League match against Manchester United, which ended in a 0-0 draw. It is reported that Grealish was slapped in the face by a man near the tunnel as both teams were leaving the pitch after the game.

    City has not made any comments regarding the matter. However, United officials told ESPN that the club is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

    Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that 20-year-old Alfie Holt from Droylsden has been charged with assault. He is scheduled to appear in Manchester Magistrates Court on July 14.

    A GMP statement read: “This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club on Sunday, April 6, 2025.”

    Following the derby, City manager Pep Guardiola accused United fans of a “lack of class” after derogatory chants were directed at Phil Foden’s mother.

    City sources said they had been shocked by the number of fans involved in the chants while sources close to United said they condemn “abusive chants against all players.”

    The worst Man United and Man City teams in decades offer a poor Manchester derby to match

    “Lack of class; but it’s not United, it’s the people,” Guardiola said when about the chants.

    “We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football — managers, owners, and football players especially.

    “It is honestly, I don’t understand in the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil, being involved in that.

    “It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed, but it is what it is; it’s happening everywhere, I would say, not just in the UK.”

  • Pep slams Man Utd fans for ‘lack of class’ chants toward Foden

    Pep slams Man Utd fans for ‘lack of class’ chants toward Foden

    Pep Guardiola has criticized a group of Manchester United fans for showing a “lack of class” after they directed offensive chants at Manchester City’s Phil Foden during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

    Foden, 24, who had a quiet performance, was substituted by City manager Guardiola in the second half. The England midfielder, who grew up supporting City in Stockport, was one of just two local players in the match, alongside City’s Nico O’Reilly.

    Despite his local connection, Foden endured derogatory chants from the United fans, to which he responded by giving them a thumbs-up. Guardiola expressed disappointment, suggesting that the behavior of these fans reflected troubling trends in today’s society.

    “Lack of class,” Guardiola said when asked about the chants aimed at Foden. “But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know?

    “We are so exposed in the screen in world football — managers, owners, and football players especially. Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”

    Manchester City’s draw in the game means they remain in fifth place in the Premier League, holding onto the final Champions League spot, just one point ahead of Aston Villa. Villa will visit the Etihad on April 22.

    Newcastle, currently in seventh place, are only two points behind City, having played two fewer games. If they win their upcoming match against struggling Leicester City, they could move ahead of City into the fifth spot.

    Despite the pressure of potentially missing out on the Champions League, Guardiola stated that he is not worried about the team’s chances of qualifying.

    “Nothing,” Guardiola said when asked his thoughts about finishing in the top five. “All that is important is our next game, against Crystal Palace.

    “We will prepare for the upcoming games. There are a few things I’m happy with what I saw, but now we need to achieve the target of qualifying for Champions League, then next season is next season.”

  • We don’t deserve any bonuses this season – Pep

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that neither the players nor staff deserve summer bonuses following what he considers a disappointing season.

    Despite still being in contention for silverware in the FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup—where the winner takes home £97 million ($125m)—City’s overall performance has fallen short of expectations. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League with nine games remaining and failed to progress beyond the Champions League round of 16.

    Guardiola maintains that even if the club secures trophies, their struggles throughout the campaign do not merit additional financial rewards.

    “We don’t deserve it this season,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. “We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much. You go there, it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players we don’t deserve. Not even a watch.”


    City return from the international break with an FA Cup quarterfinal against Bournemouth on Sunday.

    There was speculation that the break for international matches could provide a window for a verdict to be delivered in the Premier League’s case against the club.

    It’s now set to drag on and Guardiola raised the possibility that it could be another month before a decision is made public.
    “We are more than one year with that so nothing changes with one more week or two more weeks or three more weeks or four more weeks,” he said.

    Guardiola’s immediate focus is securing a place in the FA Cup semifinals for the seventh consecutive time before shifting his attention to Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.

    With Manchester City set to compete in the Club World Cup in the U.S., their season could extend into July. Guardiola has also hinted at the potential return of Rodri, who has been out of action since September due to a knee injury.

    “I hope,” Guardiola said. “Listen, it would be nice if he could play tomorrow, but don’t do a wrong decision right now, you know and make a step back. He’s behaving really well on the pitch already, but competition is completely different. We will see.”

  • Pep Guardiola hails Brighton as one of the top clubs in football ahead of clash

    Pep Guardiola hails Brighton as one of the top clubs in football ahead of clash

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his thoughts ahead of their upcoming match against Brighton this weekend.

    Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their last game, Guardiola is eager for his team to return to winning ways. Meanwhile, Brighton is in great form, having won their last six matches.

    Speaking at a press conference, the Spanish coach praised Brighton for their smart approach to signing players and managers, as well as their impressive style of play. A victory in this match could help City climb into the top four.

    “I think Brighton are one of the best clubs working on and off the pitch,” said Guardiola.

    “I think they started with Graham Potter, they made a step forward again under Roberto De Zerbi, and now with this exceptional young manager who’s doing incredibly good things.

    “It’s not a surprise I’d say, because they’re doing really, really well in the transfer market and the way they play.

    “They’re absolutely one of the toughest opponents and in the past there are many teams who were in the middle positions or bottom or whatever, but they make an incredible step up in terms of organisation and consistency for many, many years, that’s the reality.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJQWKFoL1u8

    “It’s not a secret what they’ve been doing. They’re in this position because they’re doing good things, they deserve to be (where they are) in the table.”

    He next spoke about the rise of Brighton and other teams from the middle of the league who are challenging for European spots this season. Guardiola named five sides who he thinks could rival City until the end of the season. 

    “And Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, and Newcastle, and maybe Fulham. Fantastic teams,” he said. “Not a surprise. I had the feeling that they deserve it. They are really good, consistent, they have incredible weapons in the way they play.

    Guardiola has admitted that he is not upset about Manchester City’s elimination from the Champions League after their defeat to Real Madrid. He acknowledged that his team is no longer in the competition and has accepted the outcome.

    He also shared his thoughts on Atletico Madrid’s controversial exit, where Julian Alvarez’s penalty was ruled out because he made two touches before the ball went in.

    “It doesn’t hurt. I don’t have any disappointment. We don’t deserve to be there,” he said. “I Enjoy football for the fantastic games. I am just a spectator to learn and enjoy. I don’t have any feeling that it’s a pity to be out.

    “There are incredible teams like Atletico, Liverpool who are out. This competition, what happened with Julian (Alvarez) and Atletico – the margins. Can you imagine you are out of the Champions League for that reason? Atletico were brilliant with the style they played against Madrid but look at that and seasons being good or bad are judged on that.

  • Pep’s focus now is to secure Champions League qualification after Man City’s difficult season

    Pep’s focus now is to secure Champions League qualification after Man City’s difficult season

    Pep Guardiola has described securing Champions League qualification as a major success for Manchester City this season.

    With 10 games remaining, the reigning champions find themselves in fifth place in the Premier League, having struggled with injuries to key players. Notably, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been sidelined since September, adding to the team’s challenges.

    Despite these setbacks, Guardiola insists that finishing in the top four would be a remarkable achievement given the difficulties his squad has faced.

    “Qualification for the Champions League would be a big success but you have to win it,” Guardiola said.

    “I want to qualify for the Champions League. It will not be good [if City miss out] but I saw what happened with other teams in the past in the Premier League.

    “Not being in the Champions League would be a problem but there are teams who didn’t qualify who have come back and are there.”

    City could finish fifth and still qualify for the Champions League. The strong performances of English teams in UEFA competitions means the Premier League is on course to be awarded an extra Champions League place.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeLzU4XI2fQ

    It could offer a safety net to City, but Guardiola has said it won’t matter if his team cannot build a winning run between now and the end of the season.

    “Whether there are five or six or seven [places], you have to win games,” he said.

    “In sport, in knockout games sometimes details make the difference but in the Premier League over 38 games if you are not able to finish in the first four or five it is because we were not good enough.”


    Manchester City will face Brighton, who sit in sixth place, at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as they aim to recover from their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

    Following the defeat, Pep Guardiola expressed concerns about his team’s sluggish ball movement, while defender Rúben Dias suggested that the dry pitch at the City Ground may have contributed to their struggles.

    “With the pitch dry it makes things a bit more difficult,” Dias said.

    “Last season here, Fulham was again. It depends on the weather as well and good will from everyone to make the game fast.

    “We’re still there, try to look for the spaces. They have a low block and we need to be as versatile as we can to look for the spaces. Because the spaces will be there one way or the other. Always looking to do something better.”

  • Rodri set for possible return this season – Pep

    Rodri set for possible return this season – Pep

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri could make a return to action before the season concludes.

    On Friday, the club shared footage of the Spain midfielder in training, sparking excitement among fans just hours before City secured their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a victory over Plymouth Argyle.

    Despite the buzz, club officials remain cautious, refusing to set a definite timeline for Rodri’s comeback. However, given his absence has been deeply felt—City currently sit fourth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 20 points after suffering eight league defeats—it’s no surprise that his potential return has stirred anticipation.

    For the first time since Rodri sustained a serious knee injury against Arsenal in September, Guardiola has expressed optimism about the 28-year-old’s chances of featuring again this season. With the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon in June, his return would be a major boost for City.

    “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited,” said the City boss. “It’s been five months or six months.

    “But [it’s] one step at a time. We don’t have to make stupid decisions [for him] to come weeks earlier. He’s not close to coming back, but he’s touching the ball and is in the locker room.

    “He feels confident and happy.

    “I could not expect before [him to return] before the end of the season, not even for the [Club] World Cup, but maybe it’s going to happen.”

    Guardiola also confirmed defender Nathan Ake will have more tests on a problem he fears might keep the Netherlands international out for some time.

    “He struggles sometimes with the feet,” he added. “It’s been like this the whole season with the central defenders.”

    Ake, 30, has been restricted to 18 appearances so far this season due to a succession of short-term injuries and was taken off at half-time against Plymouth.

    Fellow defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji also missed the FA Cup win through injury.

  • Man City’s Pep Guardiola unsure if Haaland will be fit for Spurs clash

    Man City’s Pep Guardiola unsure if Haaland will be fit for Spurs clash

    Manchester City face an anxious wait over Erling Haaland’s fitness ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

    The prolific striker, who has scored 27 goals across all competitions this season, sustained a knee injury during City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle on February 15. As a result, he was absent from Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool, which left City in fourth place with 44 points.

    “Tonight we will know after training,” Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday of Haaland’s prospects of playing against Spurs. “I hope so, but we don’t know yet. He feels better but we will see tomorrow.”

    Despite Manchester City’s struggles this season, Pep Guardiola insists that rebuilding the squad will not be the toughest challenge of his career. He emphasized that he has successfully revamped the team multiple times over the past nine years.

    Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, City trail leaders Liverpool by 20 points and have suffered early eliminations from both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League. This season, they have already recorded eight league defeats—matching their total losses from the previous two seasons combined.

    To reinforce the squad, City invested £180 million ($223 million) in the January transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov. With an average age of 21.6 years, these young talents are expected to play a crucial role in the next chapter of Guardiola’s project.

  • Pep ‘afraid’ Man City have little chance of winning playoff round against Real Madrid

    Pep ‘afraid’ Man City have little chance of winning playoff round against Real Madrid

    Pep Guardiola admits that Manchester City have a very slim chance—just “1%”—of staying in the Champions League as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their playoff round on Wednesday in Spain.

    Real Madrid, who won their 16th Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund in last season’s final, secured a 3-2 victory at the Etihad last week. They scored twice in the final minutes, overturning a 2-1 lead that had been given to City by Erling Haaland’s two goals.

    Manchester City now face a tough challenge, as they have only won once at the Bernabéu—a 2-1 win in the round of 16 back in February 2020. To stay in the competition, they must find a way to defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s side on their home turf.

    Guardiola, who has coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past, admits the task ahead is extremely difficult. However, he remains hopeful that City still have a slight chance of making it to the next round.

    “The margin to win in Bernabéu in that position [3-2 down], everybody knows that if you ask before the game, the percentage to go through, I don’t know, we arrive at 1%, or I don’t know what,” Guardiola said.

    “It will be minimal, but as much as you have a chance, we will try, that’s for sure, you know? “The chance is minor because the result was not good — five minutes ago, with 2-1, it would be different.

    “But with 2-3, the chance is less, but as much as you have a chance, we are going to take it, and we’ll see what happens.”
    City have endured their worst season since Guardiola took charge in 2016 during this campaign, losing 12 games in all competitions and surrendering their title hopes by mid-season.

    And the City coach admits that, while this season has been hugely disappointing, Saturday’s 4-0 home win against Newcastle could provide a springboard for a recovery going into final weeks of the campaign.

    “Listen, there are many, many games that we didn’t play the level we play, and at the end, we lost it,” Guardiola said.

    “And that was not just the three points, it’s how it is affecting our minds for the next game. “It happened a lot of times. This season, the reality is that we have been miles, miles away.

  • Rodri-Vini Jr: Pep Guardiola dismisses Ballon d’Or controversy as unimportant

    Rodri-Vini Jr: Pep Guardiola dismisses Ballon d’Or controversy as unimportant

    Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City have drawn a line under the Ballon d’Or controversy with Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League showdown.

    The Spanish giants boycotted the ceremony in Paris in October in protest at City midfielder Rodri winning the award ahead of Vinícius Júnior.

    The two teams face each other in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. And ahead of the game, Guardiola insisted there is no ill feeling between the clubs.

    “Happy for Rodri,” Guardiola said, when asked for his opinion on the fall-out. “Vinícius made an extraordinary year as well. He deserved it. Like in the past when [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] were fighting for that. The subject is over.”

    Rúben Dias, who travelled to Paris with Rodri for the ceremony, also attempted to play down the dispute. “Being very honest I didn’t spend one second thinking if it was disrespectful or not,” he said.

    “I was there, I celebrated with him, I was very happy for him. I didn’t spend my time thinking about it.”

    For the fifth time in six seasons, Manchester City and Real Madrid have been drawn together in the Champions League. Last season, Carlo Ancelotti’s team emerged victorious on penalties, whereas City comfortably triumphed in 2023 with a 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium, ultimately securing a treble.

    This time around, Pep Guardiola faces the additional challenge of contending with Kylian Mbappé, alongside threats from Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham. The French international has already netted 23 goals in his debut season with Madrid, including one in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid.

    “I think it’s impossible for 90 minutes or 180 minutes to control these four players,” Guardiola said. “They are exceptional. So how they combine, the runners, the ability one against one, how they keep the ball. So all four, they are exceptional. Everybody knows it. So we have to reduce their involvement as much as possible. Knowing that is going to happen, accept it.”

    Dias, meanwhile, said Madrid should be wary of City’s stars, including Erling Haaland.

    “I think since I have been there the most difficult season but I am a firm believer, even in the most difficult situations, you can achieve something beautiful,” the City defender said.

    “We know how difficult it will be. But we have loads of guns in the dressing room and we just have to use them the right way.”

  • Man City no longer scares teams like we used to – Pep on team’s current form

    Man City no longer scares teams like we used to – Pep on team’s current form

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that teams are now more confident in facing his side compared to before, which could put their Champions League hopes at risk if he doesn’t find a solution.

    Guardiola, whose team will play Chelsea at home on Saturday, did not directly say that City had completely lost their ‘fear factor.’

    However, as he reflected on their difficult season, he pointed out that opponents are no longer as intimidated as they used to be and are now pressing City more aggressively.

    Manchester City are currently in fifth place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points. Towards the end of 2024, they struggled, winning just one of their last 13 matches.

    After their recent loss to Paris St-Germain, City now need to defeat Club Brugge on Wednesday to secure a spot in the Champions League play-offs.

    “Everyone came to the Etihad and stayed back,” he said. “The first team I saw man-marking was Neil Warnock at Cardiff. Now everyone does it. Everyone comes here, it doesn’t matter, man to man.

    “They just jump to Ederson or Stefan [Ortega]. You have to adapt, do it better with the ball, otherwise you are not qualifying for the Champions League.”

    Pep Guardiola Photo Courtesy: Man City

    Even though City have £123 million worth of new players ready for their Premier League match against Chelsea, Guardiola doesn’t think that will fix all their problems.

    He brushed aside claims that running statistics show how well a team is performing. Instead, he believes the real issue is that his team hasn’t been using the ball effectively.

    “Speed is important but against PSG we ran more than them,” he said. “Our problem is with the ball. This season it is what we have missed.

    Desire Doue in action against Man City Photo Courtesy: AP

    “If you have the ball and don’t pass properly to your mate, everything is so difficult.”

    When City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the season, few would have predicted by the time the return meeting came around that Chelsea would be higher in the table and Guardiola’s team would be just a point in front of Bournemouth.

  • “Perfect” – Pep Guardiola’s wife makes first public statement after divorce

    “Perfect” – Pep Guardiola’s wife makes first public statement after divorce

    Christina Serra, the wife of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, has said she is doing fine despite the ongoing reports about their separation.

    In an interview with the Daily Mail, Christina mentioned that she is managing well and continuing with her daily activities as usual.

    She was seen shopping in Barcelona, Spain, when journalists asked her how she was doing.

    When asked how she was doing, she replied, “Perfect, thanks.” When asked about her frame of mind, she added, “Everything is fine.”

    When asked about her separation from Guardiola, Christina Serra chose to stay silent and did not comment.

    Reports from Spain suggest that their breakup was decided in December 2024, just a month after Guardiola extended his contract with Manchester City until 2027.

    Although the couple has not made any public statements, they have reportedly informed close friends and family about their decision and requested privacy.

    Guardiola and Serra first met in 1994 when he was 23 years old, and she was 17. They got married in 2014 and have three children: Maria, 24; Marius, 22; and Valentina, 17.

    In 2019, rumors surfaced that Serra had moved out of Manchester with one of their children to focus on her fashion business, sparking speculation.

    Since then, she has split her time between Spain and London while staying in touch with Guardiola, who remains in Manchester.

  • ‘We are back’ – Excited Pep after 6-0 win over Ipswich Town

    ‘We are back’ – Excited Pep after 6-0 win over Ipswich Town

    Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes his team has regained their top form after a dominant 6-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Sunday, which lifted them into the Premier League’s top four.

    After struggling for the past two months, City bounced back in style, with Phil Foden scoring twice and providing an assist, while Erling Haaland also found the net. The crucial win took their points tally to 38, placing them in fourth position.

    “We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years.

    Really pleased for the three points and to climb into qualification for the Champions League for next season,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the match.

    After struggling with inconsistent performances before and after Christmas, Manchester City finally got back on track with their win against Ipswich.

    Guardiola was pleased with how his team performed.

    “Much better, maybe not our best, but closer with the consistency we have in our game … Everyone with the ball was clever, quicker, faster, everyone is related. You cannot be quick, wise and good if you are not connected defensively,” Guardiola said.

    For Ipswich, who remain in 18th place in the table on 16 points, the drubbing was a valuable footballing lesson.

  • Pep Guardiola to reportedly leave £8.5m mansion to his wife after separation

    Pep Guardiola to reportedly leave £8.5m mansion to his wife after separation

    Pep Guardiola is planning to leave his £8.5 million mansion in Barcelona after separating from his wife, Cristina Serra.

    According to Spanish media reports on Monday, January 13, 2025, Guardiola and Serra have decided to end their relationship after being together for 30 years.

    Guardiola, who has three adult children with Serra, a fashion executive, usually stayed at their luxurious family home in one of Barcelona’s most exclusive areas whenever he visited from Manchester.

    It is unclear where Pep Guardiola will stay in Barcelona going forward. When he’s not in the city, he lives at the Deansgate City Suites in central Manchester.

    Cristina Serra is expected to remain in the family’s Barcelona mansion, which was once owned by former Mexican footballer Rafa Márquez.

    Guardiola bought the luxury property, located in one of Barcelona’s best neighborhoods, from a Russian businessman in February 2021..

  • 30 years of marriage over! – Pep Guardiola reportedly breaks up with his wife

    30 years of marriage over! – Pep Guardiola reportedly breaks up with his wife

    Head coach of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, and his wife Cristina Serra have ended their 30-year marriage, according to El Periodico, as reported by goal.com.

    While the separation has not been publicly announced, the couple has reportedly informed close friends and family, asking them to keep the news private.

    Guardiola and Serra first met in 1994 when he was 20 and she was 17. They got married in 2014 and have three children: Maria, 24; Marius, 22; and Valentina, 17.

    In 2019, there were reports that Serra had moved away from Manchester with one of their children to focus on her fashion business, which raised some concerns. Afterward, she split her time between Spain and London, while staying in touch with Guardiola, who remained in Manchester.

    The exact reasons behind the separation have not been revealed.

    Guardiola, who has faced a challenging start to the 2024/2025 season, is expected to focus on his work and try to improve Manchester City’s performance.

  • Kyle Walker wants to leave Mana City; he wants to options abroad – Guardiola

    Kyle Walker wants to leave Mana City; he wants to options abroad – Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has expressed his desire to leave the club this month and pursue opportunities abroad as his career approaches its later stages.

    Walker, 34, has 18 months remaining on his contract, which he extended in the summer of 2023 with a three-year deal. At that time, Bayern Munich showed interest in signing him, but negotiations with City fell through.

    Recently, Walker has struggled for playing time, with his last start being in the 2-1 loss against Manchester United on December 15. He wasn’t even included in the squad for City’s 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford City on Saturday, where Matheus Nunes filled in at right-back.

    Guardiola explained the situation, revealing that Walker has requested a transfer during the January window to play abroad. He added that the England international may not currently be in the right mental state to contribute effectively to the team.

    “Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad at the end of his career,” explained Guardiola in his post-match press conference following the Salford win.

    “He asked two years ago after the treble, Bayern wanted him but the offer was not good enough and the club asked him how important was this? We cannot understand the success the club has had in these years without Kyle. It’s impossible – he’s been our right-back, giving us something we didn’t have.

    “But now, in his mind, he would like to explore going to another country to play his last years for many reasons. For that reason, I prefer to play other players whose mind is still here.”


    There is reported interest in Walker from Saudi Arabia and he has now taken matters into his own hands, approaching Man City directly to request a transfer this month.

    “He went to Txiki [Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain] and I am pretty convinced that there’s no one in our job who can perform when they don’t want to be where they are,” Guardiola explained.

  • He has to fight for his spot – Man City’s Pep on Jack Grealish missing starting line-up

    He has to fight for his spot – Man City’s Pep on Jack Grealish missing starting line-up

    Manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has challenged Jack Grealish to work hard and earn his spot in the team’s starting lineup. He urged the midfielder to regain the impressive form he showed during the club’s historic treble-winning season.

    In the 2022-23 season, Grealish played 50 matches, scoring five goals and providing 11 assists, contributing to City’s triumph in the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.

    This season, however, the 29-year-old England international has struggled to make an impact. His recent performance saw him left on the bench during City’s 4-1 victory over West Ham United, with Brazilian player Savinho taking his place in the starting lineup.

    “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “Do I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah, I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that. They have to fight. You can say it’s unfair.

    “If you think that, then it’s fine, but you have to prove [to me], ‘Okay, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”

    Grealish, who also spent a spell on the sidelines this season due to injury, has made just six starts for City in the league.

    “Two weeks ago, he was injured and he needs rhythm, and to play, but players need training,” Guardiola said.


    “I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players. They would not be here [otherwise].

    “I know that he can do it because I saw him. I saw his level and I want that, every single training session and every single game.”

    City next host fourth-tier side Salford City in the FA Cup on Jan. 11.

  • It’s my fault – Pep takes blame for Man City’s lacklustre form

    It’s my fault – Pep takes blame for Man City’s lacklustre form

    Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, has taken responsibility for the club’s poor form this season. Despite winning the Premier League title for the last four years and six of the past seven, City are now 14 points behind Liverpool.

    Their 2-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday was only their second win in 14 matches. Guardiola admitted that this current struggle is the worst phase of his successful managerial career, which includes successful stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

    “There are many, many things [involved in being a manager] and I missed something – something I am not doing well,” said Guardiola, who has been at the club for nine seasons.

    “In the end, when you lose a lot of games it is an incredible responsibility for the manager to take. There is something the team needs and confidence and I was not able to do it.

    “The call is on me first, it’s not the players. They naturally drop a little bit and that is normal. It happened a little bit last season as well.”

    City have had slow starts to seasons before – and trailed the leaders by six points or more in each of the past four title-winning campaigns – but they have never been this bad.

    “With this consistency [of results] I should have found it, and that is why we’re in this position,” Guardiola said.

    “I blame [myself]. It’s not to say, ‘oh how nice is Pep’ – it’s the truth. I lead that group of players and I could not lift them. This is the reality.”

    City have suffered many injuries this season – including to Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri – which Guardiola has repeatedly highlighted.

    “We were the only unbeaten team in Europe [until 30 October] and top of the league, but immediately we went down, for injuries, many things we’ve talked about,” he said.

    “But, even with that, I should have found a way to get better results.”

    The champions host West Ham at 15:00 GMT on Saturday.

  • Man City reports a record-breaking Premier League revenue of £715 m

    Man City reports a record-breaking Premier League revenue of £715 m

    Manchester City have reported a Premier League record revenue of £715 million in their financial results for the year ending 30 June 2024.

    Despite falling short of replicating their historic 2023 Treble, City’s achievements, including a fourth consecutive English league title, and wins in the Club World Cup and European Super Cup, drove a revenue increase of £2.2 million from their previous record of £712.8 million.

    The club’s wage bill decreased by £10.3 million to £412.6 million, contributing to a pre-tax profit of £73.8 million. Commercial revenue also saw a slight rise, growing from £341.4 million to £344.7 million.

    City have maintained profitability in every season since 2014-15, except for the Covid-affected 2019-20 season. Additionally, they announced a £92.8 million profit from transfers since June, including the sales of Julian Alvarez, Joao Cancelo, and Liam Delap.

    This strong financial position provides City with the flexibility to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad in the upcoming transfer window, following a challenging period of just one win in their last 10 games.

    “Our constant ambition to target and achieve the unprecedented is a mark of the organisation that we have be come,” noted City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak in his assessment, which was written before the club’s worst run under Guardiola.

    “On and off the field, our passion for the next challenge is underpinned by deliberate and detailed planning and a shared belief in the collaborative learning culture that we have built.

    “This organisational approach is now part of our DNA. It is a product of the unwavering focus on constant improvement, in every aspect of the organisation, that has been in place since His Highness Sheikh Mansour became the club’s custodian in 2008.”

    That belief is being tested like never before.

    The Champions League defeat by Juventus on Wednesday has left City at very real risk of missing out on a play-off place. Winning the tournament in 2023 earned City £111.8m from that competition alone.

    They go into Sunday’s Manchester derby with United at Etihad Stadium fourth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

    “Winning the Treble in the previous season did not generate any sense of complacency in our teams on or off the pitch,” said chief executive Ferran Soriano.

    “We understand very well that the relentless pursuit of beautiful football, operational excellence, and constant innovation requires hard work and resilience.”

    The accounts make no reference to City’s recent battle with the Premier League over the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, and only a fleeting reference to City’s ongoing case with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules.


  • Pep Guardiola has no plans of managing any other club after Man City

    Pep Guardiola has no plans of managing any other club after Man City

    Manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has shared his plans for the future and discussed where he might go after leaving the club.

    Guardiola recently signed a new contract with Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2027. This deal will extend his time at the club to over a decade, during which he has already won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, four Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Looking ahead, Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City will be the final club he manages in his career.

    He told famous Spanish chef Dani Garcia on his Desmontadito YouTube channel: “I’m not going to manage any other club after City.

    I’m not talking about the long-term future, but what I’m not going to do is leave, go to another country, and do the same thing as now. Maybe a national team, but that’s different.”

    Guardiola was linked with the England job in the wake of Gareth Southgate’s departure before Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the new Three Lions’ coach.

    There has also been speculation previously that the 53-year-old was wanted by the Brazil national team, and there may be plenty of offers for Guardiola to consider once he does finally decide to part ways with City.

    Guardiola’s City side are currently going through a sticky patch and dropped Premier League points again last time out against Crystal Palace.

    The Catalan coach will aim to get his team back to winning ways on Wednesday at Juventus in the Champions League.

  • Video: Pep Guardiola lost his temper, almost fought a fan after on the street after 0-2 defeat against Liverpool

    Video: Pep Guardiola lost his temper, almost fought a fan after on the street after 0-2 defeat against Liverpool

    Manchester City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, was nearly involved in a physical confrontation with a fan after a recent loss.

    A video circulating online shows the fan mocking Guardiola over the defeat, prompting an unusually heated response from the usually composed Spanish manager.

    The fan was heard saying, “Cry, mate, just because you lost,” as Guardiola walked past.

    Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager, turned to confront the fan after hearing the comment, but his security team intervened to stop him.

    It is still unclear if the incident happened after Manchester City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

    City had been struggling, losing six of their last seven matches without a win. However, they broke the streak with a commanding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

  • I’m different from Jose Mourinho; I have won 6, he won 3 – Pep Guardiola to critics

    I’m different from Jose Mourinho; I have won 6, he won 3 – Pep Guardiola to critics

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed criticism about a hand gesture he made during the match against Liverpool at Anfield on December 1, 2024.

    Guardiola explained that holding up six fingers was not a hint about leaving the club, as some had speculated, but simply a way to highlight the six Premier League titles he has won.

    He also brushed off comparisons with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, pointing out that his own success in the Premier League surpasses Mourinho’s.

    Speaking at a press conference before City’s game against Nottingham Forest, Guardiola emphasised his achievements and dismissed any rumours about his future.

    “I hope not in my case [his domination in the EPL coming to an end like Mourinho]. In the end, maybe I am quite similar to Jose. He won three, and I won six [Premier League titles],” he said.

    Pep Guardiola faced criticism for showing six fingers to Liverpool fans during their taunts at a recent match.

    The former Barcelona coach explained that he made the gesture in response to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” which he found disrespectful.

    Manchester City has had a tough start to the 2024/25 Premier League season. With 13 games played, they’ve managed seven wins, two draws, and four losses.

    Currently, City sits fifth in the league with 23 points, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.

  • I have it all here ;whatever a manager could wish for – Man City’s Pep after signing 2 year contract extension

    I have it all here ;whatever a manager could wish for – Man City’s Pep after signing 2 year contract extension

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has extended his stay at the club by signing a new two-year deal, keeping him in charge until 2027.

    The 53-year-old Spaniard, who took the helm in 2016, has led City to an impressive 18 trophies, including six Premier League triumphs.

    Guardiola’s previous contract was set to end after the ongoing season, but this renewal solidifies his future at the club. Reflecting on the extension, he expressed gratitude, stating he has “everything a manager could dream of” at City.

    “Manchester City means so much to me,” Guardiola told the club’s website.

    “This is my ninth season here. We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.

    “I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.

    “Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”

    It was reported that Guardiola had agreed a new contract on Wednesday and the club confirmed the news a day later.

    ‘Hunger for success remains insatiable’


    During his time in Manchester, Guardiola has helped City become just the second English men’s team to win the Treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.

    They have also become the first men’s team to win four successive English top-flight titles and to achieve 100 Premier League points in a single campaign.

    “Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game,” City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added.

    “His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our club, and the English game at large.”

    Manchester City currently sit second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by five points, while grappling with an unprecedented run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

    For Guardiola, this marks the first time in his managerial career—excluding penalty shootouts—that he has faced such a series of losses.

    The announcement of Guardiola’s contract extension comes amid ongoing scrutiny over a Premier League investigation into 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations by the club. While City have denied the allegations, the case’s outcome could result in significant repercussions if wrongdoing is confirmed.

    Despite the controversy, Guardiola has remained steadfast in his support for City, urging critics to hold off judgment until the investigation is concluded.

    With Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool last summer, Guardiola now stands as the Premier League’s longest-tenured manager.

  • For a human being, I would say it’s not normal – Pep on Haaland’s goal during Sparta clash

    For a human being, I would say it’s not normal – Pep on Haaland’s goal during Sparta clash

    Pep Guardiola remarked that Erling Haaland’s stunning goal during Manchester City’s 5-0 triumph against Sparta Prague was “not normal for a human being.”

    In the second half, Haaland executed a spectacular back-heel volley while airborne, converting Savinho’s cross.

    He netted another goal before being substituted, bringing his total to 44 goals in just 42 Champions League matches and elevating him to 16th place on the all-time scoring list.

    “I didn’t know how he scored,” said Guardiola. “For a human being, I would say no [it’s not normal]. He made a fantastic goal.

    “He can touch 15 or 20 balls but have seven or eight chances. It’s unbelievable.

    “He made an incredible goal, similar to [Borussia] Dortmund a few years ago. I don’t know which one is more difficult but I would say both.”

    Haaland’s Man City teammate Matheus Nunes was equally in awe.

    “What an amazing goal. I was speechless after that,” Nunes told TNT Sports. “When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I was watching on TV, so to see this live, it was amazing.”

    Sparta Prague coach Lars Friis was also full of praise for Haaland, who has already reached 13 goals for the season.

    “What can you say, he’s maybe the best striker in the world,” said Friis.

    “He’s world class. We felt we had good hands on him but then he pops up with a goal like this.

    “They are the best team in the world with the best players in the world.”

    With this win, Manchester City climbed to third place in the Champions League standings, bringing them closer to the knockout stage as they prepare for upcoming matches against Sporting CP and Feyenoord.

    Additionally, Guardiola’s team established a new record in Europe’s premier club tournament by remaining unbeaten in 26 consecutive matches—excluding shootouts—surpassing the previous record held by Manchester United from 2007 to 2009.

    “We played really good again,” said Guardiola.

    “I’m enjoying a lot the way we’re playing lately. We concede few, few chances.

    “We create a lot, and we had to be so patient. We have five games left, and the target is to finish in the top eight. It’s a good advantage not to play in February.”

  • Pep says Man City wouldn’t waste energy on Carabao Cup

    Pep says Man City wouldn’t waste energy on Carabao Cup

    Pep Guardiola has made it clear that Manchester City will prioritize the Premier League and Champions League over the Carabao Cup this season, choosing not to expend unnecessary energy on the domestic cup competition.

    Despite securing a 2-1 victory over Championship side Watford in the third round on Tuesday, Guardiola revealed plans to use his reserve players in future Carabao Cup matches, citing a congested schedule.

    “In the next round, I can tell you now, we’ll play the second team. We’re not going to waste our energy on this competition,” he confirmed.

    While Guardiola had taken the Carabao Cup seriously in previous years, winning it four consecutive times between 2018 and 2021, this season he’s shifting focus.

    For the match against Watford, played just 48 hours after a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, he made nine changes to the lineup, giving young prospects such as 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite and 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly their competitive debuts.

    “The schedule is the schedule; we cannot handle it anyway,” Guardiola said. “Today for [James] McAtee, Matheus [Nunes], Jack [Grealish], Phil [Foden], who didn’t play [against Arsenal], the young lad, 16 years old, it’s perfect.

    ;”That’s why it’s a good competition, otherwise, we wouldn’t win four in a row.”

    Erling Haaland was given the night off against Watford, while key players like Éderson, Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva were named on the bench.

    Guardiola insisted he still wants to win the Carabao Cup, but hinted that he will continue to leave out his first-team regulars as they chase a fifth successive Premier League title.

    “We play to go through,” he added. “We never throw a competition. Never. But we played 50 hours ago. I’m not going to [take] a risk with the Premier League and the Champions League in this competition.”

  • Pep insists De Bruyne could feature in Man City-Arenal clash despite injury

    Pep insists De Bruyne could feature in Man City-Arenal clash despite injury

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has not ruled out Kevin De Bruyne’s participation in the upcoming match against Arsenal, despite the midfielder suffering an injury during Wednesday’s game.

    Guardiola hinted that there is still a possibility the Belgian star could be available for Sunday’s important clash.

    “He feels a little better today… Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved],” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.

    Kevin De Bruyne was taken off at halftime during Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan after sustaining an injury while attempting to latch onto a Jack Grealish through ball.

    City now turn their attention to a crucial Premier League encounter against Arsenal, which could shape the title race. Pep Guardiola’s side remains unbeaten with four consecutive wins, sitting comfortably at the top of the table.

    Addressing media concerns about the congested football schedule, Guardiola commented on Rodri’s suggestion that a player strike could be on the horizon, emphasising the growing challenges players face.

    “I agree with you, maybe for the first time, that many voices are talking about the players,” Guardiola said. “I’m pretty sure that if something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something.

    “The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media, and owners, but without players you cannot play. The only ones to have the power to do it is them.

    “And also, I’m pretty busy; they’ve done it to adjust the game, to make it more attractive. That’s the reason why many players around the world, not just Rodders [Rodri], are starting to talk. We’ll see.”

  • A change in packed game schedule should come for the players

    A change in packed game schedule should come for the players

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola emphasised on Friday that the initiative for a more balanced match schedule should be led by the players themselves.

    This statement comes just days after his midfielder, Rodri, hinted that players might consider striking due to the strain of their packed game schedule.

    Guardiola made these remarks ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Arsenal on Sunday, which falls in the middle of a demanding period of seven games over three weeks for the defending Premier League champions.

    “Many, many voices are talking about it,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “If something is going to change, it must come from the players.

    The business can be without managers, without sporting directors, without media, without owners, but without the players, it cannot be played.

    “It is not just Rodri (speaking out); it is many, many players, and not just in this country, but around the world people are starting to talk, so we will see.”

    Guardiola was non-committal about whether Kevin de Bruyne will play on Sunday after his captain limped off at halftime of their 0-0 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and did not play the second half.

    “He feels a bit better today. Tomorrow we’re training and we’ll see. He could be involved,” the manager said.

  • Pep says Ilkay Gündogan’s return to Man City was a ‘surprise’

    Pep says Ilkay Gündogan’s return to Man City was a ‘surprise’

    Pep Guardiola has revealed that the chance to bring Ilkay Gündogan back to Manchester City came as an unexpected opportunity.

    The German midfielder, who spent last season with Barcelona, has rejoined City on a one-year deal, with an option to extend for another year. Guardiola admitted that this development was a surprising turn of events.

    “Most of the time all the managers say in the transfer window anything can happen so this is the real proof.,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.

    “It was a surprise, unexpected. We know him quite well; the staff and players.
    “We know the quality he plays last year at Barcelona. High, high level.
    “We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility was open and we’re delighted he is back.”

    Gündogan has agreed to write-off the two remaining years of his Barcelona contract to return to City on a free transfer. Sources have told ESPN he also received interest from Saudi Arabia, but his preference was to return to Manchester.


    “The important thing is he wants to come back,” Guardiola said. “I got the message from [sporting director] Txiki [Begiristain] that Ilkay wants to talk to you and call you. He called me and asked about the situation.

    “I said yes and now we are here and he has to deliver a good season.

    “The feeling is that he doesn’t come to retire or to remember good memories. We have time to do that in the future. Now it is time to put your shoes on and do your best.”

    Gündogan becomes Manchester City’s second acquisition of the summer, following the addition of Brazilian winger Savinho.

    Sources suggest that the club remains interested in adding another forward before the transfer window shuts, with the deadline rapidly approaching on August 30.

    “I don’t know what is going to happen,” Guardiola said. “Could happen something in terms of injuries; hopefully not. Right now I don’t think so.”

  • Man City’s Pep points tactical evolution to boredom

    Man City’s Pep points tactical evolution to boredom

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said boredom has helped inspire him to develop new tactical ideas as he bids to win a fifth straight Premier League crown.

    Guardiola, 53, began his ninth season at City last Sunday with a comfortable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He said his evolution comes from restlessness, but also from rivals reacting to his ideas.

    Asked why he has employed various systems throughout his time at City and at Barcelona and Bayern Munich prior, Guardiola told ESPN Brasil: “It’s because otherwise I get bored.

    Always doing the same thing for eight years would be very boring. That’s the first thing.

    “And secondly, when you do something and it goes well, they [opponents] watch you and create an antidote. If you go too inside, they close in. If we open up the field too much, they’ll open it up more.

    “Anything we do and they respond to us, we have to respond again. The third reason is the players we have. What specific qualities they have and when they adapt best to the way you want to play.”

    The Catalan coach added that he never thought he would stay with the reigning champions for this long amid reports that he is considering leaving at the end of his contract, which expires after this season.

    “Not in my wildest dreams,” Guardiola said when asked about the length of his tenure. “If we hadn’t won, we wouldn’t be here, it would have changed.”

    City’s Premier League campaign continues against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

  • “We will see, maybe stay, maybe go on loan” – Pep on João Cancelo’s future with Man City

    “We will see, maybe stay, maybe go on loan” – Pep on João Cancelo’s future with Man City

    João Cancelo made a surprising exit from Manchester City in January 2023, joining Bayern Munich on loan. However, the Bundesliga club opted not to make the move permanent, leading Cancelo to spend the remainder of last season on loan at Barcelona.

    While Barcelona is eager to bring Cancelo back on loan, the Portuguese full-back, who hasn’t featured for City in 18 months, has returned to training under Pep Guardiola for the time being.

    “He’s training with us,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. “We will see, maybe stay, maybe go on loan. I don’t know yet. He’s training with us, behaving really well in the training sessions. He loves to play football. We will see.”

    Asked whether he could play for City again, Guardiola said: “It can happen, yeah.”

    Cancelo has twice been named in the PFA Premier League team of the year and was a key part of City’s title wins in 2021 and 2022.

    He has a contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027 and while he’s still available for transfer, it’s not certain a move will materialise.

    “In training we say hello and talk,” Guardiola said. “About what’s going to happen, it depends on his agents and the club. In the end, if he has to stay we will treat him like all the other players like we have done since I have been here.

    “With respect, and try to take the best for his huge qualities that he has. I never doubt his qualities for one second. But I don’t know what is going to happen.”

    Guardiola hasn’t dismissed the chance of Manchester City making another signing before the transfer deadline following the departures of Julián Álvarez and Oscar Bobb.

    Álvarez, who netted 19 goals last season, has moved to Atletico Madrid, while Bobb is sidelined for three to four months due to a broken leg sustained in training.

    “Maybe [another player will arrive] but maybe not,” Guardiola said. “We will see. I am really pleased with the squad I have. I know the vibe is ‘we have to sign.’ We will see.

    “I am really pleased with the squad I have, the players I have. I said, we will see what happens in the market. We can continue in that way, or maybe we will add some players. I cannot say.”

  • Loosing Haaland would be a probem – Pep after City’s ‘goal machine’s’ muscle discomfort

    Loosing Haaland would be a probem – Pep after City’s ‘goal machine’s’ muscle discomfort

    Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has been dealing with muscle discomfort, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

    The Norwegian striker was substituted at half-time for the second consecutive match during their preseason tour in the United States.

    City lost 4-1 on penalties to Barcelona after a 2-2 draw in Florida.

    Haaland was also taken off at half-time during their 3-2 defeat to AC Milan in New York over the weekend.

    “He’s got some niggles. He didn’t feel good,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “[It is] disturbing something, he doesn’t feel comfortable.

    “Muscular niggles is not worth the risk. Sooner or later he has to take a step. To lose him for three weeks, that would be a problem as 60-70% of the squad are on holiday.”

    Premier League champions Manchester City will face FA Cup winners Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10. They will then start their league title defense with a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 18.

  • “We want to do the same as them” – Barca’s Hansi Flick wants to be like City’s Pep

    “We want to do the same as them” – Barca’s Hansi Flick wants to be like City’s Pep

    New Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants to do “something similar” to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after beating the Premier League champions on penalties in Orlando on Tuesday.

    Young goalkeeper Ander Astralaga was the hero, saving penalties from Kalvin Phillips and Jacob Wright after the match had ended 2-2 after 90 minutes at the Camping World Stadium.


    Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre had twice given Barça the lead in the friendly, but City responded on both occasions, first through Nico O’Reilly and then Jack Grealish.

    “We were really good against a great team,” Flick said in the post-game news conference. “We defended together and attacked together, as a team, and that’s what we want. We fought for each other.

    “Maybe in the first half we were too deep, our idea is to be a bit further forward, we need more possession, but we played against Manchester City … Pep has been there for eight years and we want to do the same as them in terms of philosophy. Maybe a little bit different, but with that idea.”

    Barça are without 10 players in the United States due to injuries and international commitments, while Ilkay Gündogan, Raphinha and Jules Koundé were also unavailable for this game as they return to start preseason this week.

    Flick, therefore, used the match to look at some of the younger players in the travelling party.

    Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal both impressed in midfield, while striker Victor — a €2.5 million summer signing from Girona who scored 20 goals on loan with Barça’s B team last season –– and Pablo Torre got the goals.

    “The [youngsters] did really well,” Flick added. “I already spoke in my presentation about La Masia, everyone talks about it — and with reason.

    “But I don’t want to focus on individual names after just one game. They all did really well. As I said, we attacked together and defended together. I wasn’t sure we would have that defensive balance, but we did.”


    Victor, 22, became the first scorer of the Flick era with his opener in the 24th minute and he’s hoping to earn a place in the German coach’s plans.

    “I am looking forward to an exciting season,” he told reporters. “I am really motivated to stay with the first team and working hard every day to prove I deserve it.

    “My intention is to stay here. I am convinced I can, but I am taking things day by day. What will be, will be.”

    Barça are next in action on Saturday when they play Real Madrid in New Jersey. They close their tour of the U.S. against AC Milan in Baltimore on Aug. 6.

  • Pep unsure of Ederson’s stay at Man City amid Saudi links

    Pep unsure of Ederson’s stay at Man City amid Saudi links

    Pep Guardiola has expressed uncertainty about Ederson’s future at Manchester City due to interest from the Saudi Pro League.

    Al-Ittihad is reportedly prepared to meet City’s £50 million ($65 million/€60 million) valuation of the Brazilian goalkeeper, who has already agreed on personal terms and is eager for a new challenge outside England.

    Following City’s 4-3 friendly defeat to Celtic in North Carolina, Guardiola acknowledged that he is unsure about Ederson’s next move.

    “I’d like him to stay but it depends on other clubs,” he told reporters. “I don’t know the situation. There have been no contacts in the last days. It’s a question of training, being with us until the transfer window finishes and we’ll see.”

    While it’s still unclear where Ederson will be playing his football next season, Kalvin Phillips looks set to exit City, most likely via another loan spell after a challenging stint at West Ham.

    He was hooked off at half-time against Celtic, a decision Guardiola attributed to protecting the player following his injury struggles towards the end of last season.

    “That’s why we didn’t give him more minutes,” Guardiola explained. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. He knows the situation, and we’ll see.”

    If Ederson chooses to depart, Guardiola is resolute in ensuring Manchester City are not left lacking in the goalkeeping department. Reports indicate that City have pinpointed Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as a potential successor.

    While City proceed with their pre-season training in the United States, the transfer operations at Etihad Stadium are in full swing. Guardiola’s remarks reveal his wish to keep the Brazilian goalkeeper, but the growing appeal of the Saudi Pro League could lead to the manager losing his primary shot-stopper.

  • England job for Pep, Jurgen Klopp would be ‘boring’ – Fmr three Lions star warns

    England job for Pep, Jurgen Klopp would be ‘boring’ – Fmr three Lions star warns

    Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are seen as popular choices for the England manager position, but Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola would likely find the role “boring.”

    After England’s Euro final defeat to Spain, Gareth Southgate resigned as manager after nearly eight years. As the Football Association searches for his replacement, former England player Glen Johnson believes Gerrard and Lampard would be well-received by fans despite their lackluster managerial records.

    Klopp, formerly of Liverpool, and Manchester City’s Guardiola are considered top candidates, but Johnson thinks neither would be interested in leaving club football for the less frequent action of the international stage.

    The former Liverpool defender told Betfred: “I can’t really see either of them [Guardiola and Klopp] being England manager. Both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, they’re super passionate and ultimately, I believe both of them may find the job a bit boring to be honest.

    It’s clear that they both enjoy the day to day work that comes with club management and that’s something they won’t get at international level.

    “It would obviously be quite a considerable jump for either of them [Lampard and Gerrard], as they’re early on in their managerial careers, but sometimes you’ve just got to roll the dice.

    I’m sure the players would love to have either of them managing them and sometimes you’ve just got to take the risk. If Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard was the England manager, then I believe the fans would love to see that.”

    Despite leading England to two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate decided to step down from his role.

    He has been the most successful England manager since Sir Alfred Ramsey, who led the team to their 1966 World Cup victory. Replacing Southgate and building on his achievements is a significant challenge.

    Among the managers favored to become the next England boss, four stand out as bookmakers’ favorites.

    Guardiola, whose contract with City expires in 2025, Gerrard, currently managing Al-Ettifaq, Klopp, who has stepped down as Liverpool manager, and Lampard, who is currently seeking a new position, are all in the running. It remains uncertain who will ultimately succeed Southgate.

  • Kevin de Bruyne isn’t going anywhere – Pep addresses Saudi, other links

    Kevin de Bruyne isn’t going anywhere – Pep addresses Saudi, other links

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected speculation about star midfielder Kevin de Bruyne potentially leaving the club.

    De Bruyne, a crucial part of City’s team, played a key role in helping the club win the Premier League title last season, marking their fourth consecutive championship and his sixth since joining the team.

    Recent reports have linked De Bruyne with a move to Saudi Arabia, suggesting he might be interested in new opportunities following a successful period with City.

    The Belgian has won every major club trophy during his tenure and has one year left on his current contract. He recently hinted that he might consider a move to the Saudi Pro League due to attractive financial offers.

    Despite these rumors, Guardiola remains confident about De Bruyne’s future at City.

    In a pre-season press conference before their game against Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Guardiola addressed the speculation and reaffirmed De Bruyne’s commitment to the club.

    “Kevin isn’t leaving,” he told reporters. “If someone leaves, we are going to talk about that and, of course, until the last day [of the transfer window] we have chances. I don’t rule out new players as an option, but I think there is an 85, 90, 95% chance we will have the same squad.”

    Guardiola’s confidence suggests that Manchester City are likely to retain the core of its championship-winning squad as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

    City’s first match of the new season is set against Chelsea on August 18.

  • FA cooking plans to hire Pep Guardiola as England’s manager to replace Gareth Southgate

    FA cooking plans to hire Pep Guardiola as England’s manager to replace Gareth Southgate

    Football Association (FA) is reportedly considering Pep Guardiola as a potential replacement for Gareth Southgate as the England manager.

    Following Southgate’s resignation after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, the search for a new manager has begun. Names like Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley have been floated, but a high-profile candidate is also being considered.

    According to The Independent, the FA is willing to wait and see if Guardiola leaves Manchester City in 2025 before appointing a permanent successor to Southgate.

    There are even suggestions that an interim manager might be appointed in the meantime. Guardiola is in the final year of his contract and has hinted he might leave at the end of the 2024-25 season.

    If the FA opts to delay a permanent appointment while monitoring Guardiola’s situation, they will need an interim manager for England’s matches until next summer.

    Carsley, currently managing the Under-21s, would be a strong candidate for the interim role.

    Guardiola, 53, is one of the most successful managers in modern football. He has won the Premier League six times, leading Manchester City to the title for the past five consecutive years, and has also lifted the Champions League three times.

    For the next 10 months, Guardiola will focus on his club, aiming for success on all fronts as usual for City. England will watch closely to see if he shows any interest in transitioning to international management in the near future.

  • Man City’s ‘sidelined’ Sergio sends message to Pep as he moves to Real Sociedad

    Man City’s ‘sidelined’ Sergio sends message to Pep as he moves to Real Sociedad

    Sergio Gomez expressed gratitude to Pep Guardiola upon departing Manchester City for Real Sociedad.

    Gomez joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and initially made an impactful start to the 2022–23 season, often substituting for Joao Cancelo.

    However, as the season progressed, his role in the squad diminished due to injuries, leading to his departure from Guardiola’s plans. With just six Premier League appearances last season, the Spaniard has now moved on to join Imanol Alguacil’s team.

    Real Sociedad secured Gomez’s services for €10 million (£8.3m/$10.9m) with a 30% sell-on clause.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7yE7GUldzMQ

    The 23-year-old, a product of La Masia, accumulated 38 appearances for the eight-time Premier League champions, contributing to three consecutive league titles and a Champions League victory.

    Gomez also expressed admiration for Guardiola upon his exit from the club.

    Speaking to the media, Gomez said, per BBC Sport: “Being part of such a talented, ambitious and successful squad was a true honour and winning a host of major trophies, including the Treble, is something I will never forget and will always look back fondly on.

    “I am excited for this new adventure but I wish Pep Guardiola and the players every success in the future.”
    He will now join Alguacil’s side for pre-season and will hope to make his official debut for the club against Rayo Vallecano in the La Liga opener.

  • “It’s a closed door” – Pep on return to Barcelona

    “It’s a closed door” – Pep on return to Barcelona

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has firmly ruled out the possibility of returning to Barcelona at any point in the future.

    Guardiola, whose contract with City ends in June 2025, previously hinted in May that the upcoming season might be his last at the Etihad.

    When asked on Monday about the potential of a return to Barça, where he guided the club to 14 honours during his four seasons in charge, Guardiola stated, “It’s a door that is closed.”

    The 53-year-old made these remarks during a press conference at his annual golf tournament, the Legends Trophy, currently underway in Girona, Spain.

    “The Barça bench is one of the most complicated because you have to manage many cases. In Manchester everything we do remains inside and at Barça, everything comes out,” he said.

    The ex-Barça player guided City to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title, following a remarkable season that also saw his team achieve a historic treble.

    Meanwhile, Barça concluded the 2023–24 season without any silverware and opted for Hansi Flick as the successor to Xavi Hernández in May. Xavi’s tenure ended at the end of the season as the club sought a new direction.

    Xavi assumed leadership of the Spanish team in November 2021 and frequently drew comparisons to Guardiola.

    Guardiola said of those comparisons: “What is certain is that it’s not my fault. That’s for sure. I’ve been 11 or 12 years away from Barcelona. I’m not a suspect in that sense. Ask that to those who have made the comparisons, I haven’t. I wish Xavi the best in finding a new challenge.”

    Regarding Xavi’s replacement, Guardiola expressed confidence in Barça’s choice. Flick, who had been without a job since September 2023 following his dismissal from the Germany national team, previously enjoyed significant success at Bayern Munich.

    Flick secured the Champions League as part of a treble in 2020 before transitioning to the Germany national team role in the summer of 2021.

    “I wish him the best of luck in the world,” Guardiola said.

    “When you arrive at a new club, you always need help. You have to try to get help from within and have total support. You have to go little by little. You can’t be a champion in September or October.

    “Hansi is an extraordinary person who has a lot of desire. A lot. But he needs his time. What he did at Bayern was extraordinary; he won everything.”

    Barça finished runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga, with their rivals adding France star Kylian Mbappé to their already strong roster.

    “With or without Mbappé, they are always strong,” Guardiola said.

    “It’s the rival to beat in the Champions [League], without a doubt. Everyone knows that. For all of us that are behind them, it’s motivation to try to beat them.

    Madrid has always been very strong and they are adding up front a player that has a lot of strength.”

  • Wayne Rooney thinks Sir Alex Ferguson still remains greater than Pep

    Wayne Rooney thinks Sir Alex Ferguson still remains greater than Pep

    Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes that his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, maintains superiority over Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola in the realm of managerial greatness.

    This season, Guardiola guided City to their fourth consecutive Premier League title, an accomplishment unmatched by Ferguson or any other team in English football history.

    This extends Guardiola’s tally to six Premier League titles in his eight seasons with Manchester City.

    Nevertheless, Guardiola’s achievement falls short of Ferguson’s record of 13 championships during his illustrious 26-year tenure at Manchester United.

    “I think of course there are going to be arguments as to who is better, but I think people tend to just look at what Sir Alex did at Manchester United, and what he did at Aberdeen was incredible,” Rooney said in an interview with ESPN Brasil.

    “And you’d ask the question: could Guardiola do that at a team like Aberdeen?

    “There’s questions, there’s debate, and I think Guardiola for his era is of course the best and he’s changed the way football is played worldwide… but yeah for me, Sir Alex, what he achieved in the game is incredible.”

    Before joining Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson achieved remarkable success with Aberdeen, winning three Scottish titles and disrupting the long-standing dominance of Celtic and Rangers.

    Notably, he led Aberdeen to a memorable victory over Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final.

    In contrast, Pep Guardiola has a 3-2 edge over Ferguson in Champions League titles, having won two with Barcelona and one last season as part of a treble with Manchester City.

    Wayne Rooney, who played under Ferguson for nine years and became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer, has expressed great respect for Guardiola. Earlier this year, Rooney even suggested he would be open to working as Guardiola’s assistant.

    “If Pep Guardiola comes in and asks me to be his assistant, you’d walk there,” Rooney told the Stick to Football podcast.
    “You see what [Mikel] Arteta is doing now [at Arsenal] and I strongly believe a lot of that is from learning what Guardiola was doing, and so it depends on what the situation is.

    “For me, the best manager is Pep and you look at how he adapts — how they [City] are playing now is not the same as how they were playing four years ago.”

    Since then, Rooney has returned to management, taking on the role of head coach for English Championship side Plymouth Argyle ahead of the upcoming season.

  • Pep has until Christmas to decide on future with Man City

    Pep has until Christmas to decide on future with Man City

    Manchester City will seek a definitive answer from Pep Guardiola regarding his future by Christmas, according to a source speaking to ESPN.

    Guardiola’s current contract with the club runs for another year.

    After leading City to an unprecedented era of success with 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles since his arrival in 2016, the club is keen for the 53-year-old to extend his tenure.

    However, due to Guardiola’s close relationship with director of football Txiki Begiristain, he will have the autonomy to determine his departure on his own terms.

    Guardiola is reportedly considering leaving City after the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

    The source indicated that the club wants a final decision by Christmas to allow ample time to prepare for his succession and evaluate potential candidates to replace him.

    Recognizing the significant challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Guardiola, City aims to have a comprehensive plan in place.

    Guardiola has already hinted that his time at City is coming to an end. Following the 3-1 win over West Ham which earned a record fourth successive title, he admitted he is “closer to leaving than staying.”

    He also said he is “tired” and suggested he is lacking motivation to prepare for another season in charge.

    Manchester City anticipates that Pep Guardiola will fulfill the final year of his contract, but according to a source, they acknowledge the possibility of his departure in 2025.

    Guardiola has already exceeded his expected tenure at the Etihad, having spent four years at Barcelona and three years at Bayern Munich before joining City.

    A source informed ESPN that while Guardiola is unlikely to pursue another club management role, he harbors ambitions to coach a national team in a major tournament.

    With the next World Cup set for 2026 in the United States, this could align with his aspirations.

    Previously, Guardiola entered the last year of his City contract in the summer of 2022, only to agree to a new two-year extension during a trip to Abu Dhabi amid the World Cup break in Qatar.

  • Pep says he ‘completely agrees’ with Erik ten Hag in his ‘struggles’; he tells why

    Pep says he ‘completely agrees’ with Erik ten Hag in his ‘struggles’; he tells why

    Pep Guardiola expressed considerable sympathy for Erik ten Hag following Manchester United’s worst Premier League season to date.

    Heading into the FA Cup final, City are heavy favorites, having secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

    In stark contrast, United recorded their lowest league finish since 1990 and ended the season with a negative goal difference.

    The disastrous campaign is likely to cost Ten Hag his job. However, Guardiola acknowledged that United’s struggles were exacerbated by relentless injury problems, and he felt for their challenging situation.

    “He has done many good things, I have huge respect for his job in the past and now at United I completely agree when I listen to him when he says they have not had a full squad this season and had a lot of injuries,” Guardiola told a press conference.

    “I think this is the most important thing they have to think about because I am always focused that we have to be fit, fit, fit – otherwise we cannot use the players.

    They had a lot of problems and when that happens the manager suffers a lot. The squad is really good but the problem is when you cannot use them. This is a big disadvantage.”

    Guardiola said that United can never be counted out despite their problems and singled out Bruno Fernandes as their most influential player.

    “The brilliant players they have up front, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund. The influence of Bruno on that team is outstanding. His creativity is one of the best I have ever seen.”

    Ten Hag has faced over 60 injuries this season, resulting in players being unavailable for more than 350 games combined. For the final, United will be without Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire.

    In contrast, City have no injury concerns apart from Ederson, who wouldn’t have played regardless since Stefan Ortega is the first-choice goalkeeper for cup competitions.

    City can make more history by becoming the first English side to win back-to-back doubles of the league title and FA Cup. Guardiola added:

    “The history gives us a chance to do what hasn’t been done before, why not try it? Maybe it is an extra motivation for the players, I don’t speak about it but like I said to them, just to play to win.

    No team had won four [titles] in a row, when they have not done back to back FA Cups it is because it is not easy. At the same time, what’s next? That is the mentality the big teams have to show, go for it with all they have.”

  • Video: Teary Pep bids farewell to ‘friend’ Jurgen Klopp as he exit Liverpool

    Video: Teary Pep bids farewell to ‘friend’ Jurgen Klopp as he exit Liverpool

    Pep Guardiola fought back tears while paying tribute to outgoing Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after the German called him the world’s best manager.

    On Friday, Klopp said the former Barcelona boss was the “best manager in the world” and added if you put any other manager in the City dugout “they don’t win the league four times in a row”.

    After City secured their fourth-straight Premier League crown following a 3-1 win over West Ham, Guardiola heaped praise on the German – who is leaving for pastures new this summer.

    After the match, Guardiola said: “I will miss him a lot. Jurgen has been a really important part of my life. He brought me to another level as a manager. We respect each other incredibly. I have the feeling he will be back and thank you so much for his words but he knows that behind me there is a lot that this club provides me with, otherwise alone I can’t do it. I’m humble enough to understand that.

    “I wish him all the best and hope his final game was special, he deserved it. He made Liverpool recognised with his stamp, and the incredible pride of being a Liverpool fan.

    It’s not just about titles, there are personalities that when they arrive in one place they stay forever and Jurgen and Liverpool will be part of the level of [Bill] Shankly and [Bob] Paisley and these incredible legends.”

    Klopp won the Premier League, Champions League, and a host of domestic cups during his nine-year spell at Anfield, and Guardiola has won a whopping 17 trophies during his time at City. Both will, arguably, be remembered among the greatest managers of all time.

    While it is not yet known what is in store for Klopp after finishing his time at Liverpool, Guardiola will prepare his City side for one last push as they take on bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final next Saturday.

  • You can’t take title from coach who dey train plus evil spirits – X user reacts to Pep’s training video

    You can’t take title from coach who dey train plus evil spirits – X user reacts to Pep’s training video

    Spurs gave Man City a tough run during their clash in race for the Premier League title.

    One of the highlights of the game was Man City’s coach, Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Tottenham’s Son Heung-min’s near goal.

    The incident occured when Manchester City was leading 1-0.

    A slip by Manuel Akanji granted Son Heung-min a clear path towards the goal, presenting Tottenham with a chance to equalise the score.

    Guardiola’s reaction to the tense moment was strikingly dramatic; he dropped to his knees and then lay on his back as Son made a dash towards the goal. This scene was captured and quickly went viral on social media.

    Amidst the moment, a Twitter user named @joe_cavani2 shared a tweet featuring a video of Pep on the training grounds, where he appeared to be gesturing as if he were training with others, despite being alone in the footage.

    His caption was “Coach he dey train plus evil Spirits you want take league from am”

  • Josko Gvardiol has proven “he can do it” – Pep Guardiola

    Josko Gvardiol has proven “he can do it” – Pep Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that 22-year-old defender Josko Gvardiol initially struggled to adapt at the Premier League club but has since gained confidence, especially with his recent goal-scoring contributions during the title run-in.

    Gvardiol, who plays as a left back, joined the treble winners from German club RB Leipzig in August, signing a five-year deal for a reported fee of 90 million euros ($97 million).

    Despite not scoring in his first 32 appearances for City, the Croatian international has now scored five goals in his last seven matches, significantly aiding his team’s pursuit of a record fourth successive title.

    “And you cannot forget it is his first Premier League season… so it is not easy to handle it and he struggled in the beginning a little bit, because he came into a team that had just won the treble and he was a little bit shy.

    “He signed for many, many years and he has proved to himself that he can do it and play with us.”

    Guardiola gave his players three days off after their 5-1 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.

    “On the first day, he (Gvardiol) went into the training centre to make a recovery, so his focus is football and he wants to be better and better and when this happens, you have something special on your hands,” the Spaniard said.

    City, second in the table with 85 points and one behind Arsenal who have played a game more, travel to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

  • Iraola, Pep others in five-man shortlist for Premier League Manager of the Year award

    Iraola, Pep others in five-man shortlist for Premier League Manager of the Year award

    Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery are among the five nominees for the award.

    Iraola earned his spot on the shortlist following a remarkable debut season with Bournemouth.

    Despite a challenging beginning, the coach successfully guided his team to the top half of the table, earning recognition alongside esteemed managers like Arteta, Guardiola, and Klopp.

    Emery, who has also had a successful campaign with Aston Villa, joins the quartet. Villa aims to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the next season’s Champions League.

    Bournemouth endured a winless streak in their initial nine matches of the season. However, Iraola’s squad secured a victory against Burnley on October 23rd, marking their first three-point haul.

    As the Premier League resumes this weekend, all five managers and their teams are set to return to action.

    Arteta and Klopp will persist in their title race, with City confronting Fulham and Arsenal visiting Manchester United.

    In the meantime, Liverpool will clash against Aston Villa on Monday, with Emery’s squad eyeing a potential top-four finish if results align favorably.

  • See Pep’s response on Cancelo’s possible return to City as he nears end of Barcelona loan

    See Pep’s response on Cancelo’s possible return to City as he nears end of Barcelona loan

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that he will postpone any decisions regarding Joao Cancelo until the conclusion of the season.

    Cancelo has been sidelined from City’s lineup since January 2023 due to a disagreement with Guardiola. Subsequently, he was loaned to Bayern Munich and then to Barcelona.

    However, Cancelo has faced harsh criticism during his time at Barcelona, particularly for notable errors in matches against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga.

    “We’ll see at the end of the season,” Guardiola told a press conference when asked whether Cancelo had a future at the club.

    Cancelo has experienced three significant incidents during his time at City. Shortly after his arrival from Juventus in 2019, the Portuguese expressed frustration over Guardiola’s preference for Kyle Walker at right-back.

    In 2020, Sporting director Txiki Begiristain intervened to encourage Cancelo’s greater engagement in training.

    Then, in late 2022, Cancelo was reportedly distracted during team meetings, even listening to music on his headphones while Guardiola was speaking. Despite these challenges, Cancelo remains under contract at City until 2027, signing a lucrative deal in 2022 before being loaned out to Bayern.

    His loan spell with Barcelona is set to conclude at the end of this season, but he has expressed a desire to stay at the Catalan club for two or three more years.

    City will face Brighton on Thursday with the aim of regaining their position in the Premier League title race, especially after Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table.

    City face Brighton on Thursday looking to reclaim their grip on the Premier League title race after Arsenal hammered Chelsea 5-0 to extend their lead at the top of the table.


    Guardiola said: “I can’t think past Brighton, trying to figure out how they are. I know with Roberto how we need to find the weakness, it will be really tough, they’ll test us in ways we are not used to. We have to be strong – it might be the toughest game. not saying the others are not but the way they play is so difficult and we have to be ready.”

  • Erik ten Hag warns Pep’s Man City ahead of FA Cup Final

    Erik ten Hag warns Pep’s Man City ahead of FA Cup Final

    Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has issued a strong message to Manchester City ahead of next month’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

    The Red Devils booked their spot in the final after a tense encounter against Coventry City, a match that has been widely criticized as ’embarrassing’.

    United initially took control with Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire netting before halftime, followed by Bruno Fernandes extending their lead. However, their defensive frailties resurfaced, allowing Coventry to level the score with three quick goals within 19 minutes.

    Despite the threat of an upset from the Championship side, United managed to hold their nerve and emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, as reported by Sky Sports.

    This sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with reigning champions Manchester City in the final.

    Securing a place in the final of the oldest football competition presents a golden opportunity for Ten Hag’s team to clinch silverware at the season’s end. Yet, they are fully cognizant of the formidable challenge posed by their arch-rivals, who triumphed over them in last season’s final.

    Ten Hag vows to sink Man City in FA Cup final

    However, the Dutchman remains unfazed by the daunting prospect of facing the Citizens and exudes confidence in his team’s capability to seize victory in the final.

    “We are not satisfied by being in the FA Cup final; we want to win it,” the 54-year-old gaffer boldly claimed as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

    He underscores the team’s resolve and confidence in their capacity to attain their objectives via their mentality and strategy.

    “That is what we will go for, and it’s our mentality. That is why we are successful,”
    “That’s why I am successful over 10 years as a manager, I always bring out the maximum of each squad”.


    Man United to sack Erik ten Hag before FA Cup final?

    It was reported that Manchester United have reportedly reached a decision regarding Erik ten Hag’s future at the club amid calls for his dismissal before the FA Cup final.

  • Pep hints of a potential return to Barcelona

    Pep hints of a potential return to Barcelona

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the possibility of returning to Barcelona, but not in a managerial capacity.

    Guardiola, who enjoyed immense success at Barcelona, winning numerous titles, including two Champions League trophies, expressed his desire to return to the club in a different role.

    While the idea of his comeback may excite Barcelona fans, Guardiola clarified that he envisions himself as the ultimate authority at the club rather than as a manager.

    He hinted at appointing Aitana Bonmati, a Spanish World Cup winner and recipient of the ‘Laureus Award’ for Sportswoman of the Year in 2023, as the club’s sporting director, should he make a return to Barcelona.

    In the documentary ‘Aitana Bonmati Conca’ on TV-3’s ‘Sense Ficcio’ show, Guardiola said: “I would come for free, do not suffer. It would not be an economic question.

    But here there will be a problem that I must tell you: I will be the president and I will be the one who will sign you as sporting director.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJR9oEW8OI

    Bonmati responded by saying: “I like to command and it is poor to advance that there are still few women in positions of command. Maybe when you stop coaching at the age of 80…”

    Guardiola immediately cut her short and replied: “Don’t worry, I have no intention of coaching until I’m 80. We’ll see who signs who…”

    After suffering a setback in the Champions League against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola is resolute about leading Manchester City to a domestic double by securing the FA Cup and Premier League titles once again.

    Currently trailing league leaders Arsenal by four points, with two games in hand, City aims to close the gap and reclaim the top spot.

    Additionally, they have a chance to clinch the FA Cup when they face Manchester United in the final at Wembley on May 25.

    Their immediate focus, however, is on their upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton, scheduled for Thursday, away from home.

  • “I don’t fear them” – Pep warns ahead of second leg with Real Madrid

    “I don’t fear them” – Pep warns ahead of second leg with Real Madrid

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed confidence ahead of their quarterfinal second leg against Real Madrid, stating that he does not fear the 14-time Champions League winners.

    Despite Real Madrid’s formidable history in the competition, Guardiola emphasised that he is not concerned about their past successes.

    City have faced Real Madrid in recent seasons, both winning and losing at the semifinal stage, but Guardiola remains focused on the upcoming decisive match at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

    “I don’t fear them,” Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday. “I respect them a lot. I’ve faced them many times. I respect Real Madrid and if I say I’m scared of them, I would be false.

    “There’s the rivalry; you want to beat them and do well. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But I’m not scared of them and if they beat me, as has happened many times, we will say congratulations and wish them well.”


    After last week’s 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Bernabéu, there have now been 23 goals in the last five meetings between the two teams.

    City beat Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad in the semifinal second leg last season, but Bernardo Silva insists this version of Carlo Ancelotti’s team is better.

    “Two different seasons, and it never happens to be the same game in football again,” said Silva. “I feel Madrid is stronger this season than last season. That was my feeling when we played them at the Bernabeu [last week].

    For sure, they will want a bit of revenge [for the result in Manchester last season] so it will be a very difficult game.”

    After achieving a historic feat last season as the second English team to secure a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble, City is poised to replicate its success this year.

    A consecutive treble would elevate Guardiola’s side to contention for the title of the greatest club team ever. Silva acknowledges that this possibility serves as a source of motivation for the City squad.

    “It’s obviously an inspiration,” he added. “We know how well this team has done and we want to create that legacy and to do another Premier League to do six in seven years and four in a row and we want to win the Champions League to do two in a row and if we win two trebles in a row that would be a legacy.

    “In one week, we could be out of all the competitions but we are fighting for it.”

  • Everything okay Pep? Gvardiol, 2 others miss training ahead of Real Madrid clash

    Everything okay Pep? Gvardiol, 2 others miss training ahead of Real Madrid clash

    Manchester City faced a setback as three key defenders missed training on Monday morning ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

    According to the BBC’s Simon Stone, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, and Kyle Walker were absent from the session.

    Ake and Walker were already concerns due to their issues during the international break, while Gvardiol’s absence came after he was substituted off during Manchester City’s recent win over Crystal Palace.

    Man City’s demanding schedule, including their involvement in a tight Premier League title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, has stretched their squad thin.

    The team has faced additional challenges with participation in the Club World Cup in December and competing in multiple competitions simultaneously.

    Although Walker and Ake are unlikely to be available for the first leg of the quarterfinal, there is hope that Gvardiol could recover in time.

    Pep Guardiola described Gvardiol’s issue as a ‘little problem’ after the Crystal Palace match, as reported by The Standard.

    Manchester City, the defending champions of the Champions League, are set to travel to Madrid to face Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, April 9.

  • Quick to forget – Pep hits back at Roy Keane over ‘League Two player’ jibe at Haaland

    Quick to forget – Pep hits back at Roy Keane over ‘League Two player’ jibe at Haaland

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded to Roy Keane’s criticism of Erling Haaland by defending the young striker.

    Keane had commented after Manchester City’s draw with Arsenal that while Haaland excels at scoring goals, his overall performance is reminiscent of a player from a lower division.

    This remark has stirred discussions among football fans and analysts.

    Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Manchester United legend Keane said: “The levels of his general play are so poor, and not just today. His general play for such a player is so poor, I think he has to improve that he’s almost like a League Two player.”


    Guardiola, however, vehemently opposed Keane’s assessment and told reporters: “I do not agree with him, absolutely not. It’s like [if] I said he’s a manager for the second or third league. I don’t think so.

    “He’s the best striker in the world and he helped us win what we won last season and the reason why we don’t create many chances [against Arsenal] is not from Erling. He is exceptional. We need more presence in the final third with more people and we played an exceptional game against Arsenal. I reviewed it.”


    Guardiola expressed surprise at the criticism directed towards Haaland, particularly coming from a former player like Keane. He believes that ex-players, having experienced the rigours of professional football first-hand, should demonstrate a deeper understanding and empathy towards current players.

    “I am surprised when it comes from former players. It’s like referees when they retire, they always criticise the refs,” he said.

    “That always surprises me. The memory disappears quickly. The problems players have now, they had too. They missed it a thousand, million times and were hurt when they were criticised by former players. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but I am not a guy who is going to criticise my colleagues when I retire.”

    Haaland’s remarkable goal-scoring record further bolstered Guardiola’s defence of the player. With 52 goals in 53 games last season and 29 goals in 35 games this term, Haaland’s prowess in front of goal is undeniable, cementing his status as one of the most prolific strikers in modern football.
    As City continue their pursuit of the Premier League title, Guardiola’s spirited defence of Haaland shows his unwavering faith in the striker’s abilities.

    Nonetheless, the Spaniard admitted that modern superstars should get used to the criticism. “It’s their job, accept it,” he said.
    “If you can’t accept it as a footballer, you have to dedicate to another job, like reading books or . . . .”


    Haaland will have an opportunity to silence his critics when he takes to the pitch against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.