Tag: Pep Guardiola

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City must win all remaining games or title race is over

Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City missed the chance to claim victory when on top against Liverpool and insisted his side must win all their remaining Premier League games otherwise the title race will be over.

Liverpool were as far as 14 points behind in mid-January, but a 10-game winning run in the league slashed City’s lead to just one point to set up what was billed as the title decider at the Etihad Stadium.

Kevin De Bruyne struck after just five minutes with his sixth goal in as many games on Sunday, before Diogo Jota soon restored parity in a thrilling end-to-end affair.

Gabriel Jesus then found the net against Liverpool for a fifth time in all competitions, only scoring more for City against Everton (eight), to send Jurgen Klopp’s side in at half-time trailing in the league for the first time this season.

Sadio Mane immediately levelled after the interval to keep the title race alive and Guardiola called on City to win their remaining seven games to win the league.

“Both teams wanted to try to win, we did everything we could but unfortunately we could not win,” he told Sky Sports.

“I had the feeling we handed them a life, but listen Liverpool is a joy to watch and the threats they have in attack, how good they are, so no doubts about how difficult they are.

“But I think we performed really, really well, I’m so incredibly proud of my team. Now, both teams know with seven games left we have to win all of them, otherwise it will be over.

“In Anfield, we played an incredible first half and it was the same result, I had the feeling we missed an opportunity to get three points but it doesn’t matter what happened this game, this was never going to be over.

“I would say the same with defeat, or victory, this was massive game to take advantage of, but we know what we have to do.

“Go to [Atletico] Madrid [in the Champions League quarter-final return leg], then FA Cup [semi-final against Liverpool] then back to the Premier League and win as many as possible.

“Seven games in the Premier League is a lot to play, it will be tough, I don’t know whether we are going to win the title at the end of the season but to be in the game, like we played today, it makes me admire a lot to perform that way.”

Guardiola also hailed the work of Jesus, who has scored four times against Klopp’s Liverpool in the Premier League, as he explained his match-by-match plan for each specific opponent.

“Gabriel Jesus deserves to play a lot, he is a fantastic person but all of them, [Ilkay] Gundogan, Ruben [Dias] they all have quality but we thought we could find spaces with the players we put out for the way they pressed today,” he added.

“Maybe next Saturday [in the FA Cup semi-final] from what we saw, maybe we change something. I put out a specially specific line-up for the demands of the team we are going to play, not because of who I prefer.”

Klopp and Guardiola are familiar foes, given their time spent managing Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Germany, and the Spaniard expressed his admiration for his opposite number.

“Listen, I don’t know if Jurgen respects me but I respect him a lot, he has made me a better manager with his sides in Germany with Bayern and Dortmund, and then here,” he added.

“His teams are always positive and want to attack, I try to imitate him in that sense. We are not friends, we don’t have dinner together, I don’t call him but I have a lot of respect for him, but he knows next Saturday I’m going to try and beat him.”

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GUARDIOLA PLAYS DOWN MANCHESTER CITY’S TREBLE CHANCES

Pep Guardiola wants his side to return injury-free from the international break but played down talk of Manchester City’s chances of winning the treble.

Phil Foden scored a stunning strike as City booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday.

Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne (penalty) and Riyad Mahrez were also on target for the visitors, with Aymeric Laporte’s own goal levelling the scores just before half-time.

Guardiola believes winning the treble would not be an easy feat, and remains focused on the more short-term goals of his side.

“How many times has it happened in this country? Once in this lifetime, once. It’s not easy, I would love to tell you it’s not easy,” the Manchester City manager said.

“It’s better to hopefully pray that the players come back from the national teams fit because it’s tough to fight, fight, fight for many things.

“Now the players have 15 days off and they arrive (back) two days before they have to play Burnley, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, then Atletico Madrid.

“When you have 10 points clear to the second (placed team in the Premier League) with three games to play and are in the finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup, after (that) we can talk about that (the treble).

“But in the position that we are (in) it’s far, far away (from the treble), the best intention is to be focused on Burnley.”

Guardiola admitted that everyone needs a break, with City not due to play again until April 2 against Burnley after they secured an enticing FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Wembley.

“We are there so I think everyone needs a little break, to not see each other for a while would be good, to see new faces for the manager, some players will go on holiday for one week,” Guardiola said.

“And after we come back we know what we have, we have the quarter-finals of the Champions League, we have the Premier League, we have the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

“The nice thing for the team is that fact, the last few weeks of the season and we are fighting for it, we are there for the titles and this is so nice.

“I would have signed (up for that) at the start of the season – to be here in front of you, in the later stages, in this position. We’ll see what happens.”

Ralph Hasenhuttl also is welcoming the international break, as his side head into it on the back of four successive defeats in all competitions.

“The international break always comes at a good time. It is an intense time. It is good to have,” the Southampton manager said.

“(We will) recover. Recharge the batteries. We have nine games to go.

“(We) have work to do to finish as high as possible. We need this break now to get a bit of rest and we come back with full batteries ready to go.”

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FIVE-GOAL MANCITY CRUSH SPORTING LISBON IN UCL LAST 16

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City still have room for improvement after Bernardo Silva’s brace inspired a masterful 5-0 rout of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Guardiola’s side produced a swaggering display at the Jose Alvalade Stadium to all but secure their quarter-final place before the second leg in Manchester on March 9.

Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring and Silva bagged the second before Phil Foden made it three by the 32nd minute.

With City at their imperious best, Portugal forward Silva struck again on his return to his homeland and Raheem Sterling’s gem rounded off the demolition after the interval.

City are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competition, a hot streak that now includes 12 wins.

Sterner tests will await City later in the competition but this was a significant statement of intent that will have been heard all around Europe.

Determined to keep his players grounded, Guardiola said: “The difference between the two teams is not 5-0 but we were so clinical. We punished them.

“We had some simple passes that we lost. Against the top sides in Europe we would be punished.

“We have one more game to be in the quarter-finals and this is what you want. The players know me and the way we work that we can do better.

“I’m incredibly happy, please don’t misunderstand me, but we can do better.”

With City nine points clear at the top of the Premier League in their pursuit of a fourth title in five years, there is no questioning Guardiola’s domestic preeminence.

But Champions League success has been harder to come by.

Guardiola insisted this week that critics of his flawed European record over the last decade are “jealous” of his achievements.

Yet the Spaniard hasn’t won the Champions League since 2011 with Barcelona, while City are still waiting to lift the trophy for the first time.

City’s Champions League history is littered with unexpectedly premature exits, but they came painfully close last season, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the final in Porto.

Back on Portuguese soil to launch a knockout stage campaign they hope will climax with silverware in the final in Saint Peterburg, City’s sublime performance underlined their desire to go one better this time.

Sporting’s fans did their best to make it a hostile evening, loudly jeering Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo for their spells with arch rivals Benfica.

But City took just seven minutes to silence the ear-splitting din with a sumptuous move.

Silva found Foden in the Sporting area and his shot was pushed out by Antonio Adan to Kevin De Bruyne, who scooped it back into the six-yard box for Mahrez to slot into the empty net.

Initially disallowed for offside, it took a lengthy VAR check before Mahrez could celebrate his 10th goal in his last 11 Champions League appearance.

City were in the groove and Silva produced a moment of magic in the 17th minute.

When Rodri’s header dropped in the Sporting area, the hosts were too slow to react and Silva pounced with a blistering half-volley that flashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Guardiola’s team were so slick that even Sporting’s supporters were moved to applaud after the visitors’ third goal.

Mahrez twisted and turned on the right flank before whipping in a low cross that evaded Sporting’s flailing defence, allowing Foden to finish with ease on his 150th City appearance.

City weren’t done yet and the fourth goal arrived in the 44th minute.

Cancelo’s lofted pass picked out Sterling’s run into the Sporting area and his cutback was dispatched by Silva via a deflection.

Silva was denied a hat-trick five minutes into the second half when his header was ruled out for offside.

But Sterling put the seal on City’s masterclass in the 58th minute, taking aim from 20 yards and curling a superb strike into the far corner.

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Kevin De Bruyne leads rout as Guardiola’s City dazzle

Kevin De Bruyne turned on the style with a brilliant double, and you could only marvel as Manchester City savaged Leeds 7-0 in the Premier League.

Long-time friends Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa watched with contrasting emotions from the touchline as City inflicted the biggest defeat Leeds have ever suffered in the competition.

Guardiola’s City were sensational, with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones and Nathan Ake joining De Bruyne on the scoresheet, City passing the 500-goal mark in the Premier League under their Spanish boss.

The pick of the goals was De Bruyne’s second and City’s fifth, as his land-to-air missile from 25 yards left Illan Meslier helpless, with City surging four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Foden made the eighth-minute breakthrough when he finished off from the edge of the penalty area after the rampaging Rodri was beaten in a dash to the ball by Leeds goalkeeper Meslier.

By that stage Bernardo Silva had already missed a sitter from in front of an open goal. Leeds were in disarray and trailed 2-0 inside 13 minutes when Grealish headed in Riyad Mahrez’s whipped cross from the right – his first headed goal in his Premier League career.

De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, a classy finish on his left foot from Rodri’s throughball. Foden then shot fractionally wide of the right post, with Meslier beaten, before seeing another shot blocked by Luke Ayling, as City looked to boost their goal difference.

Mahrez gave City a fourth in the 49th minute, a deflection off Junior Firpo diverting the Algerian’s skidding shot wide of the unlucky Meslier and into the left corner.

Foden prodded in from Mahrez’s pass but was inches offside; however, a fifth City goal arrived emphatically in the 62nd minute when De Bruyne smashed high and handsome into the net from distance.

Stones lashed in the sixth and fellow defender Ake headed goal number seven as City outclassed despairing visitors.

Guardiola, whose team had scored 499 goals in 206 Premier League games during his reign leading up to this game, fielded essentially a front five here. Silva was the one who missed out on a goal, as the quintet swarmed a Leeds defence that had no answer to their collective quality.

In the 568th game of his club managerial career, Leeds boss Bielsa saw a team under his charge concede seven goals for the first time. City’s goal difference took a major boost, and they are now just two behind Liverpool in that regard.

Leeds pulled off one of the all-time opportunist smash-and-grabs in this game last season, scoring with their only two shots to snatch a 2-1 victory, winning despite the expected goals (xG) count favouring City by 2.2 to 0.1.

Yet Leeds had not won consecutive away league games against City since 1987, and this could be filed under ‘payback’. The hosts led the shot count 31-6, while Leeds had just 35.6 per cent of possession, by far their lowest share this season.

De Bruyne’s second of the night was his 20th Premier League goal to be scored from outside the penalty area – no player has scored more such goals in the competition since De Bruyne’s September 2015 City debut, with Harry Kane next in line with 19 for Tottenham.

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GUARDIOLA VOWS NOT TO MANAGE ANOTHER ENGLISH CLUB

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has all but ruled out ever taking charge of another club in England.

The Spaniard is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2023 and could extend that, but expects to work elsewhere at some point in the future.

Although he has expressed an interest in international football, the 50-year-old admits he has no clear vision of where his long-term future lies.

One thing he is sure about, however, is that he cannot see himself being employed by another Premier League club and he has even hinted he would rather take on another role at City.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said: “I’ve said many times when we’ve finished our part here, for the pleasure to live in a European Championship, a World Cup, I would like to live it but I know it is not easy to find it because normally there are few positions.

“I think it is difficult for it to happen. I would like it but, at the same time, if it does not happen I will train a club. That is not a problem.

“In England, being here, I think I will always be at Man City. If I had to come back I would come back to Man City, if they want me. I don’t think I am going to train another club in England. I’m a part of this club.”

Despite that desire to lead a country to a major tournament, he is adamant that Gareth Southgate’s position as England manager is not something he has his eye on.

“Gareth has done an incredible job, reaching the final of the Euros and the semi-finals of the last World Cup,” said Guardiola ahead of Sunday’s home Premier League clash with West Ham.

“This is a huge success for English football. He has extended his contract and what I want is after that (for him) to extend for more years, if he is happy to do it.

“I am not here to take anyone’s position. It is not my target. As long as it is possible to be here, as much as my energy is there and my love for what I am doing is here, (I will be). After that I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Guardiola has revealed City could travel to Abu Dhabi, home of their owner Sheikh Mansour, for a warm-weather training camp in January.

For the first time since 2017 – in Guardiola’s first season in charge – City will not be involved in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and could have a suitable gap in their schedule.

Guardiola said: “Maybe it is possible. Just being together there – getting out a bit, changing the routine, training in good weather conditions and a good environment, being close to our chairman, spending time together, good dinners together, pool, sun.

“We are not going for a holiday, but to work. Rather than stay here, do it there.”

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Manchester City ‘must pay at least £24m for Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer Football - Italy - Serie A - Udinese v Juventus - Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy - August 22, 2021 Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal that is later disallowed after a VAR review REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Juventus have reportedly made it clear to Manchester City that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be allowed to leave Turin this summer unless the Old Lady receive a transfer fee in the region of €28m (£24m).

The Citizens have already allegedly agreed personal terms with Ronaldo, who is also believed to have spoken with the English club’s head coach Pep Guardiola on Thursday morning.

The former Manchester United attacker, who has less than one year left on his contract in Turin, is said to be determined to force a move to the Premier League champions.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is working to complete the deal, but Juventus want a transfer fee of €28m (£24m) for the Portugal international.

Romano claims that Man City will decide ‘soon’ whether to submit the offer, as Guardiola’s side were hopeful of being able to sign the former Sporting Lisbon youngster on a free transfer.

The Citizens have switched their attention to Ronaldo after missing out on a deal for Harry Kane, who will remain Tottenham Hotspur beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

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PEP GUARDIOLA SCARED OF ANOTHER MANCITY SLOW START TO THE SEASON

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he fears another slow start this season but insists there will be no complaining or crying.

City dropped points in five of their opening eight Premier League games last year after a late finish to the previous pandemic-hit campaign denied them any significant break or pre-season preparation.

Things have been slightly better this summer but still well short of ideal with a number of international players having only resumed training a matter of days before Sunday’s league opener at Tottenham.

City turned the situation around spectacularly last year as they embarked on a 28-game unbeaten run from late November to take command of the title race and ultimately win it at a canter.

Guardiola expects the same mental fortitude may be needed again.

The Spaniard said: “Before, it was four or five weeks for preparation in pre-season, now (Thursday) is the first day we were all together. It is completely different.

“It is similar to last season when we played against Wolves without any friendly games having been played. People asked me how the team was and I didn’t know! I hadn’t seen them.

“That is why the mentality, and being strong in the head will be important. We know we are still a way from our best condition.

“We couldn’t have a pre-season for 75 or 80 per cent of the players but the most important thing we did last season was adjust, adapt and not complain.

“Day by day, week by week, game by game, we rejoined the players to the team dynamic and put them in the best condition. That’s why we had success last season because we did not cry in the beginning.

“We looked at what we could do to improve the team and when we arrived in some moment we started to win and win and win, and during four months we were unbeatable. That is why we won the Premier League and we arrived in the last stage of all the competitions.

“I think now we are not ready but we will see.”

Guardiola has already defended the club’s spending after their British record £100million signing of Jack Grealish last week prompted questions from some quarters over how they could still comply with Financial Fair Play regulations

With the club continuing to be linked another potential big-money signing in Harry Kane, the City boss felt the need to do so again, particularly after some remarks from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday. The German said he could not understand the seemingly limitless spending power of some clubs.

Guardiola said: “We spend because we can do it. We don’t spend when we cannot do it. We invest what we can invest.

“We could spend £100million on Jack Grealish because we sold (players) for £60million. In the end we spent £40million. That is the reality the club said to me.

“We have limits for Financial Fair Play. If they are not agreeing they can go to the court, make a statement and we will defend (ourselves).”

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UCL LOSS DOESN’T SOUR OUR SPECTACULAR SEASON – PEP

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said their season remained an exceptional one despite the campaign ending in disappointment with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in Saturday’s Champions League final.

City clinched a fifth Premier League title in the last 10 years with ease this season, Guardiola’s third domestic crown since arriving at the club, but the Champions League continues to remain elusive after Kai Havertz’s winning goal for Chelsea.

It was City’s first appearance in the final of Europe’s elite club competition but they ultimately came up short, but Guardiola was still happy with his side’s work this term.

“I would like to say it was an exceptional season for us,” said the Spaniard. “It was a dream for us to be here, unfortunately we could not win.

“For most of us in this club it is the first time here, but we work to come back one day.

“It was a tough season in the pandemic, but we learn from this for the future. I have incredible respect for the players, they gave everything, but we will come back stronger. I want to congratulate them for their exceptional season.”

Guardiola has won two Champions League titles as a manager, both with Barcelona, but none since 2011, and was again unable to bring City their first European Cup.

City, who won the League Cup as well as the Premier League title, have been relentless at times this season, but on their big night they could only muster one shot on target all match.

“It was a tight game and we had some chances, but against the defensive structure of Chelsea it is not easy,” Guardiola said.

“We struggled with long balls and second balls. In that moment you need the inspiration and quality, there were three or four moments that were close but didn’t arrive.

“We played in the Champions League final, we won the Premier League again and competed well all season. Now, I want to go home with my family I have not seen for a long time, take a break, and start working on how to approach next season.”

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MANCHESTER CITY BOSS PEP GUARDIOLA NAMED LMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named the LMA manager of the year.

The 50-year-old reclaimed the Premier League title with City, won the League Cup for a fourth time and faces Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday.

The five other managers who received the most votes were Marcelo Bielsa, Daniel Farke, Emma Hayes, David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers.

Guardiola said: “I am delighted to win the LMA manager of the year award for the second time.
“It is, for me, such a special trophy to win because it is voted for by my fellow managers. An award like this is only possible though if a manager is surrounded by top professionals.

“My players have been fantastic – their dedication and professionalism never wavered, even in a season that has been the most challenging we have ever faced.

“And my staff are also deserving of the highest praise. I am so lucky to have a team of people who give everything they have every single day to make sure Manchester City are the best we can be.

“This award is dedicated to and shared with them.”

Guardiola won a third Premier League crown with City after they finished 12 points ahead of Manchester United.

Norwich manager Farke, Hull boss Grant McCann and Cheltenham chief Michael Duff won the awards for their respective divisions.
Chelsea’s Hayes won the Barclays FA Women’s Super League manager of the year while Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was presented with the LMA special achievement award after going unbeaten to win the Scottish Premiership.

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: “Many congratulations to Pep on winning his second LMA manager of the year award, following a season which epitomises his career to date.

“He never gives up, he is humble in victory and defeat and he is always respectful of his opponents, who in turn have shown him the ultimate respect in voting for him to win this award.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, an LMA committee member, also praised Guardiola: “As well as being a truly gifted manager and leader, you always display admirable humility and composure and I am sure your family must be very proud of you.”

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AGUERO IS IRREPLACEABLE – GUARDIOLA

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero is “irreplaceable” and “helped to put the club in a higher level”, as the striker prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

City’s all-time record goalscorer will leave when his contract expires this summer and Guardiola has paid a glowing tribute to the 32-year-old, who has won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and five League Cups during his decade-long stay.

Guardiola believes Aguero was one of the players who established the club as a force in the Premier League and has backed him to score some important goals in what remains of this season, with City chasing an unprecedented quadruple.

“Sergio is irreplaceable,” the City boss told Sky Sports. “I could say in terms of numbers he can be replaceable, it’s not easy when you see more than 360 games played and more than 250 goals, the amount of titles…

“So it’s the legend, the best striker this club has ever had for this century through the years, but is irreplaceable in the souls, in the hearts, in the minds of our fans, of our people, of the players that played alongside him and all the managers who worked with him.

“We were so lucky, the guys who came after him – me as a manager for example. We took over the club and he was one of the guys like Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, David Silva, many players helped this club make a step forward and of course he was one of them.

“He helped us find a club organisation in a higher level. When he came here the club was in one level, and he helped to put the club in a higher level. And that’s why all the people are still here, and of course the fans always will be grateful.

“Without them, what we achieved in the past four or five years would not be possible, that’s for sure.

“I think he still has interesting goals to score this season.”