Pep Guardiola has always been a somewhat enigmatic character. You can never really tell what’s going on in that footballing brain of his. However, despite achieving a truly remarkable comeback against Spurs on Thursday, he made it very clear what he was thinking.
Despite enjoying the majority of the ball and creating chances throughout, Manchester City somehow found themselves on the receiving end of a one-two punch just before half-time, conceding two goals within the space of a minute — both of which he said they ‘gifted’ to their opponents.
However, when City came back out after the break, they were firing on all cylinders from the second the ref blew the whistle, scoring the equalising goals in less than 10 minutes before going on to see off Antonio Conte’s side 4-2.
While many managers would simply be relieved and/or happy that their players possessed the fight to get back in the game, the four-time Premier League winner was anything but, insisting that he “[did] not recognise his team” and that they showed “nothing from the stomach, the guts”.
"We are FAR away from the team that we were!"
Man City boss Pep Guardiola did NOT hold back on his side, saying they 'lack passion, fire and desire'…😳 pic.twitter.com/nyqLeIiFUR
I mean, you did win after being 2-0 down, Pep — they did show some fight…
Cutting an antagonist albeit understandably frustrated figure in the post-match interview, the 52-year-old said that his team lacked “passion, fire and desire to win”, even going on to take aim at his own supporters: “the same [goes] for our fans, they were silent for 45 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the interviewer noted that certain sections of the crowd could be heard booing the City players off at half-time, Pep did insist that they were simply annoyed because the team were losing and “not because [they] played bad”.
While he did clarify that the club’s ‘real’, dedicated supporters, such as those who travel to away games “are the best”, he theorised that the problem with those that stayed quiet or even booed is perhaps the same as his squad’s: “Maybe we are too comfortable after winning four Premier Leagues in five years”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Furthermore, when asked if ‘the fire’ had gone out in his team he instantly replied, “definitely”. Worse still, in the subsequent post-match press conference, the hyper-analytical coach warned that if this performance is anything to go by, it spells bad omens for the games against league Arsenal.
🗣 "I want to beat Arsenal. If we play in that way Arsenal will destroy us."
Pep Guardiola wants a reaction from the entire club after Man City's recent performances pic.twitter.com/2cr4sTU5d2
Doubling down on the suggestions of complacency, not only did Pep say he wants his fans back, but he also criticised the club for being in a state of what he calls “happy flowers”, arguing instead that they should only be focused on beating Arsenal.
Not only are the North London club five points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on the blue half of Manchester, but Pep is set to come against his former protégé Mikel Arteta three times in the next few months: the first being next week in the FA Cup and then away in the league on 15 February.
ADVERTISEMENT
To make things even more complicated, Manchester United face Arsenal on Sunday and a win could see them go neck and neck with their rivalries once again in the title race. On the other hand, a slip-up from the league leaders could simply open the door for City to reassert their dominance.
It’s going to be a tasty second half of the season, put it that way.
Featured Image — Sky Sports/Man City (via Twitter)
Sport
Pep Guardiola delivers important reminder about multiculturalism after Jim Ratcliffe controversy
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an important message about the power of multiculturalism in his most recent press conference.
Guardiola’s comments come after the high-profile controversy surrounding his rival club across the city, Man United, whose co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, saw some of his recent remarks fall under major scrutiny.
In case you somehow missed it, the Failsworth-born British billionaire was heavily criticised after claiming he believes the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Fast forward a couple of days, and while the club and the fan base are still dealing with the fallout of the story, Pep acknowledged the debate by reminding people that “embracing other cultures” makes for a “better society”.
Well put, Pep – in fact, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Although he didn’t reference the 74-year-old directly after being probed on the subject by journalists, the Man City boss reiterated that his time spent living and working across the world has only broadened his mind and enriched his life.
That goes for both his professional and personal spheres, by the way, as the Catalan coach has often spoken of his love for English culture and the Manc people, specifically.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup game against local side Salford City, Pep described the attitudes towards immigrants around the world as a “big problem” despite most people simply leaving their country in search of “a better life”.
He also drew attention to the fact that he, like so many others in football – a sporting industry loved the world round by people from all walks of life and that the likes of Ratcliffe directly benefit from – is an immigrant working and contributing to not just the game but the British economy by being here.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have since shared a public statement on their club website and across social media, reiterating to fans and supporters the world over that they are an “inclusive club”.
‘We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.’
The INEOS chairman, CEO and minority stakeholder in Manchester United Football Club, has since apologised (at least in part) for his “choice of language” following the divisive interview with Sky News.
In a world where plenty of people are quick to pessimism, negativity and turn to division almost by default, Pep’s message is one echoed by so many and is one that we should all keep in mind.
And for anyone who needs a more light-hearted bit of content on their timeline this week, here’s what else Pep said in his pre-match presser…
Pep Guardiola responding to a really intelligent question from a reporter:
‘Do you want to be my assistant coach, fucking hell, you are brilliant…’
Featured Images — Hayters TV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Man United release statement after controversy around Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigration
Danny Jones
Manchester United Football Club have issued an official statement following the controversial comments made by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe surrounding immigration earlier this week.
This comes after Ratcliffe himself ultimately apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News reporter Ed Conway.
His remarks, now widely publicised and having already sparked plenty of backlash and debate, have been criticised for being not only politically charged but also divisive, inflammatory and ‘inaccurate’.
Now, Man United – the global footballing brand with one of, if not the largest worldwide fan base that he has a minority stakeholding in – has shared a message online, reiterating that the organisation “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.”
Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.
We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.
The statement reads: “Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.
“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.
“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”
Some believe more should still have been said and earlier, especially given that the press release doesn’t reference Ratcliffe directly, but they have finally broken their silence on the matter nearly 24 hours after the fact.
As for those who haven’t dug into exactly what the 74-year-old businessman and Monaco resident said in the sit-down with Sky, you can find out more here:
As for United, their media team goes on to write: “Over the course of this season, we have participated in events and initiatives at our men’s and women’s games marking mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, No Room for Racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chanting.
“We have also celebrated our supporters’ clubs’ events, including our Disabled Supporters’ Association’s Christmas Party and our Jewish Supporters’ Club’s Chanukah event.
Concluding with one final message of commitment, they add: “In the weeks and months ahead, we will be supporting further initiatives in these areas.
This update clearly comes in response not only to the calls from supporters and people around the world to reply (the news breaking late yesterday afternoon), but in the wake of the British billionaire’s apology – though many still feel it falls short of an adequate one.
As for the several notable figures to have taken issue with Ratcliffe’s remarks, the Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was one of the most outspoken in his public reaction.
Despite having met and spoken with the INEOS boss on a number of ocassions as part of the Old Trafford Regeneration ‘Taskforce’, which includes plans to develop the football team’s home stadium, Burnham didn’t hold back in levelling his criticism at Ratcliffe and the wider ownership group.
Danny Jones -
20th January 2023 
