Tag: Pep Guardiola

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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.”

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GUNDOGAN WILL BE BACK FOR ARSENAL – GUARDIOLA

Pep Guardiola insists in-form midfielder Ilkay Gundogan should be fit for Manchester City’s game at Arsenal on Sunday after the midfielder missed their win at Everton.

Gundogan, who has scored four goals in his last two league games against Tottenham and Liverpool, missed the 3-1 win at Goodison Park on Wednesday night with a slight groin injury.

City boss Guardiola revealed that the German’s absence from Wednesday’s matchday squad was precautionary and he looks set to return at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

‘He [Gundogan] is much, much better,’ Guardiola told the City club website after Wednesday’s win, their 17th straight victory in all competitions.

‘It is not a big issue, but to avoid risk today, we have given him a few more days to recover.

‘But for Arsenal and Borussia Monchengladbach he should be ready.

‘Of course Gundo is exceptional. We spoke about that. If you want to win titles and finals we need the whole squad.’

City face Borussia Monchengladbach next Wednesday in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie and will be boosted by the news of Gundogan’s fitness.

Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne also made his long-awaited return from injury on Wednesday night, as an 80th-minute substitute for Raheem Sterling.

Gundogan, meanwhile, is the most in-form player in the Premier League, having scored 11 goals in his last 12 league games.

City stretched their lead at the top of the table to 10 points as goals from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva secured all three points against the Toffees

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GUARDIOLA SAYS THERE WON’T BE JANUARY SIGNINGS AT CITY THIS SEASON.

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will not be making any new signings in the January transfer window.

After a slow start to the season, City have hit form in recent weeks and have climbed to second in the Premier League after a run of five successive wins.

Their growing momentum has also seen them reach the final of the Carabao Cup, the fourth round of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League.

The only notable area of weakness this term has been at centre forward, with both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus missing a large number of games due to injuries and coronavirus-related self-isolation.

With no specialist senior back-up, Guardiola’s alternatives have been deploying winger Ferran Torres as a makeshift striker, Kevin De Bruyne or Raheem Sterling as ‘false nines’ or giving a chance to 17-year-old Liam Delap.

But Guardiola told beIN Sports: “We will not sign any deal during the winter transfer market. We did not discuss this, but we will end the season with the players that we have now.”

Guardiola accepts there have been times when the lack of a centre forward has been noticeable, but he is convinced there is enough quality in the squad to ensure it is not a major issue.

This is one of our ways,” he said. “There were matches where we needed an attacker but at that time two of them were injured.

“One had been injured for a long time – Sergio Aguero. The other two had the coronavirus.

“That’s why we sometimes play in this way, other times we are forced to do that because of a pressing need.

“It’s an alternative plan, which we can rely on given the talents we have in the various positions.”

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GUARDIOLA IN DOUBTS OVER AGUERO RETURN DATE FROM INJURY.

Pep Guardiola admitted he was unsure about the timetable for Sergio Aguero’s return to Manchester City’s team.

The striker, 32, has hardly played this season due to ongoing issues related to a knee injury.

Aguero is expected to return this week but the City boss issued a note of caution, saying: ‘Sergio depends how he wakes up. He makes good training sessions and then has some niggles.

He woke up with a little problem in his knee. We know the injury he had is not easy for the recovery.

‘We have to handle it as best as possible.’ In Aguero’s absence City had struggled for goals prior to the thumping 5-0 win against Burnley.

Despite the result, Guardiola warned his forwards that they must start hitting individual targets or face sitting on the bench — suggesting he is ready to ditch mass rotation in matches over the next month and will only pick players on performances.

It’s not about rotation now,’ Guardiola said. ‘The players who don’t make mistakes — like John Stones in defence — deserve to play more games.

‘The goals today help us, of course — especially for Riyad Mahrez. Gabriel Jesus has to score goals too.’

Mahrez answered his critics with a hat-trick, while Guardiola started both Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden on the bench.

He added: ‘Sterling when he plays has to score. They have to score more goals. That is why they are here. It depends on the player, their performance on the pitch.’

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GUARDIOLA SIGNS TWO-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH MANCHESTER CITY.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract with the Premier League club.

“Manchester City are pleased to announce that Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year deal with the club,” City said in a statement. “The contract, which now runs to the summer of 2023, sees Guardiola’s commitment to City extended to seven years from his arrival in 2016.”


“Pep’s current five-year stay is already the longest commitment he has made to a football club since becoming a manager in 2008 – and this extension will see him overtake Joe Mercer and put him second on the Club’s list of longest-serving post-war managers.”

Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself,” Guardiola said. “Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.”

The news will extinguish any hope that Barcelona had held of tempting the Catalan back to Camp Nou. Presidential candidate Victor Font had brought it up as a possibility he’d look in to, even though Guardiola himself has always played down the possibility of him returning to the club.

Born in Santpedor, Guardiola spent eleven years as a first-team player at Camp Nou before spending time in Italy, Qatar and Mexico.

As a coach, Guardiola built one of the greatest teams of all time at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, winning three consecutive La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, three Spanish Super Cups, two Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups.

Guardiola then spent a year in New York on sabbatical before a three-season stint in Germany with Bayern Munich. He joined Manchester City in 2016 and has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, three League Cups and two Community Shields at the Etihad Stadium.

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AGUERO COULD BE FIT FOR LIVERPOOL CLASH – GUARDIOLA.

Pep Guardiola has not ruled out Sergio Agüero returning early from a hamstring injury for Manchester City’s match at home to Liverpool on Sunday and could have Gabriel Jesus back for Tuesday’s Champions League game with Olympiakos.

Agüero was injured in the draw at West Ham on October 24th. Guardiola’s initial view was that the club’s record goalscorer could be out for up to a month but there is a chance the 32-year-old could face Liverpool in a pivotal early-season fixture. If City beat the champions they will move two points behind Liverpool with a match in hand.

Asked about Agüero’s prospects the manager said: “We don’t want to make a step back again [by rushing him] but he’s getting better. It’s not so [bad] as we believed when he felt something in the last game, against West Ham. He’s getting better – I don’t know about Liverpool. After the international break for sure he’ll be ready.”

Jesus suffered a muscle problem after playing all of City’s season-opening win at Wolves on September 21st, and Guardiola has fielded Raheem Sterling and Ferran Torres as deputy No 9s in the absence of Jesus and Agüero. The Brazilian could return for the visit of Olympiakos in City’s third Group C game.

“We’ll see the last training [before the match],” Guardiola said. ”He did one with the team yesterday [Sunday]. We are happy he’s back but we’ve been happy with Ferran so we have an alternative.”

Torres has scored in each of City’s previous two Champions League wins, against Porto and Marseille, operating at centre forward in the latter match. Sterling has played in the position numerous times under Guardiola. The manager has previously said Agüero will be close to impossible to replace and was asked on Monday whether Sterling might be a long-term solution.

“He can play there when the opponents are defending a lot of spaces in behind; when teams come to press he can do it,” he said. “When teams settle in the box for 90 minutes he’s better down the sides than in the middle.”

In the transfer window Nathan Aké and Rúben Dias were bought to strengthen City’s centre back options, with Aymeric Laporte, Eric García and John Stones already at the club. Guardiola is content with this new depth after Vincent Kompany’s departure in summer 2019 and Laporte’s serious injury blighted his previous campaign.

“Definitely I am pleased,” he said. “We struggled a lot last season, with the problems we had: Vincent went to Belgium [to Anderlecht] and there was a serious injury for Laporte. We were damaged, but we’ve new players coming and we have alternatives to use in the position.”

Guardiola warned against complacency when playing Olympiakos, the Greek champions. “You cannot make a false step in the Champions League because after that you struggle,” he said.

“We know to qualify you have to secure your games at home and win at least one away. We did it winning in Marseille but now we have to be sure we can keep the points at home. That’s why tomorrow we have an incredible opportunity to make a huge step to qualify for the next round. Olympiakos have to win every game and when you play with this mentality it’s difficult to face.”