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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Manchester United announce signing of new women’s striker Lea Schüller
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have revealed another new player, officially announcing the signing of German striker Lea Schüller.
The experienced forward joins the Man United women’s team from reigning Frauen-Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, having spent half a decade with the seven-time winners.
Schuller is the third deal done in just a matter of a few days, following another European international, Hanna Lundkvist, who will officially join up with the team on 1 January.
Unveiled on Monday, 29 December, the 28-year-old made more than a century of appearances for Bayern and helped them to four of those titles, as well as a Women’s DFB-Pokal German cup.
Safe to say she arrived in Manchester with a fair bit of pedigree.
Also scoring over 100 goals in her five years with the club, as well as 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany, with whom she finished as runners-up when England defeated them in the Euro 2022 final.
Speaking in her first official club statement, Schüller said: “From the first conversations that I had with Marc and the club, the ambitions of everyone here were very clear. I still have so much that I want to achieve in my career, and I know that Manchester United is the perfect club to join.
“I feel that the team’s style of football will really suit my game; I hope my qualities and experience can help us to achieve our aims both in England and in the Champions League.”
The club is definitely having a productive recruitment period as promised, with Marc Skinner looking to bring in even more before the end of the January transfer window.
As for Schüller, she has signed a contract until June 2029, and you can expect Skinner and his coaching staff to start introducing her into their offensive line around her very soon.
Matt Johnson, Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, went on to add: “Lea’s goalscoring record is phenomenal, her style of play will give our attack an exciting new dimension. We are delighted to add a player of her pedigree to the group.
“Lea’s winning mentality and experience will really help our young and ambitious team as we continue to grow together and compete across domestic and European competitions.”
You can see her first full interview as a Man United Women’s star down below.
The Olympic bronze medallist should contribute plenty.
VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Danny Jones -
21st February 2024 
