Pep Guardiola had very little time for journalists and speculation on Tuesday night following Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Brentford as he had no time hesitation in telling a media member, “My life is better than yours” in his post-match press conference.
A bit brutal? Perhaps. Funny though? Most definitely.
After one reporter decided to ask him the question, “What’s wrong with being a journalist?” in response to an earlier remark made by Guardiola at the start of the presser, he had a very quick and amusing answer that has unsurprisingly gone viral on social media.
He doesn’t mince his words, does he, ‘r Pep?
Reporter: What’s wrong with being a journalist? 🤨
Pep: I’m a manager, my life is better than yours so… 😂
The short-lived tête-à-tête transpired as a result of the sports writer questioning why the 53-year-old Man City manager brought up journalists in an earlier answer in which he suggested to another reporter in the room how he never wanted to be in the profession, personally.
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The press conference started with questions about Erling Haaland whose return to the scoresheet saw City get over the line on the night but who had been struggling a little to be as clinical with his goalscoring chances of late.
When asked if he would have liked anyone other than the big number nine running through on goal, Pep responded: “When I was young… never, ever as a person was [I] a journalist, I’m not and I will not be, so [when] top scorers score a lot of goals, don’t criticise — he will shut your mouth, that’s for sure.”
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Sticking up for his star striker further, he also noted that Haaland had been out injured for two months and had “an incredibly tough week” after losing his grandmother. Nevertheless, the journalist still rolled the dice on asking his question and, well, you can see the full awkward exchange in glorious HD here.
He reminded the journo that it’s not always easy to be a ‘human being’ and that there’s plenty more going on beyond football.
l mean, comparatively as a multi-millionaire former footballer, treble-winner and one of the best coaches to ever walk the Earth, he’s absolutely right and he was clearly trying to lead those in the room away from quizzing him on the 23-year-old recent form — we just weren’t expecting to such a swift roast.
The Blues are now sat in second place just one point behind leaders Liverpool having played the same amount of fixtures and with a very similar goal difference.
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With Arsenal just a point behind them and even Aston Villa giving it a good go at the front of the chasing pack in the European places, it’s looking like the season is going to go right down to the wire.
You can watch the highlights from Man City’s hard-fought Premier League win over Brentford down below:
He’s still on for the Golden Boot with 17 goals in the league, by the way — hardly a measly tally.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
21st February 2024 
