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Tag: Guardiola

  • I like Man Utd striker a lot – Guardiola

    I like Man Utd striker a lot – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted his admiration for Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani.

    City are on the hunt for a new striker this coming summer but didn’t make any attempt to try and sign Cavani ahead of their neighbours.

    Guardiola has admitted his admiration for the veteran forward but happy with his strike force enough not to pursue him.

    “We have Gabriel (Jesus) and we were waiting for Sergio (Aguero) to come back. Ferran (Torres) can play there really well too,” the Blues boss said when asked if he considered signing Cavani.

    “He’s a player I admire a lot. I like the guy commits his whole career in many countries and he’s doing well.”

  • Barcagate: Bartomeu is currently innocent – Guardiola

    Barcagate: Bartomeu is currently innocent – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he’s sorry seeing former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu spend a night in a jail cell.

    Bartomeu was arrested on Monday alongside several other people as part of a police investigation into their alleged involvement in the ‘Barcagate’ smear campaign scandal.

    Guardiola, who spent 17 years at Barcelona as a player and four as a manager, hopes the club’s new president will help them move on from the difficult state of affairs surrounding them at present.

    The Manchester City boss said: “I know it’s an uncomfortable situation and hopefully it is going to finish well. He’s already now innocent until the court maybe proves he is guilty.

    “The only thing I’m concerned with right now is that in one week we’ll have a new president. I want to congratulate all three for the campaign.

    “Of course it’s a difficult situation all around the world and at Barcelona especially for many reasons as everyone knows, so have the courage to lead the next years.

    “Hopefully as many people as possible can vote and choose the right president to lead this incredible club, for me the best club in the world, for the sentimental issue.

    “I’m pretty sure Barcelona will come back stronger in a short time. The new president just has to lead the confidence of everyone, and join the team and the fans all together and they are going to be the club they are.

    “I’m looking forward to the election next Sunday and hopefully the president we choose will be OK.”

  • Guardiola killed my self-confidence, says RB Leipzig defender

    Guardiola killed my self-confidence, says RB Leipzig defender

    Angelino says Pep Guardiola did not trust him at Manchester City and killed his confidence, before he completed a permanent move to RB Leipzig.

    The left-back joined City aged 16 but after some loan spells and a brief move to PSV Eindhoven decided to move on.

    The Spaniard is now playing regularly and thriving under Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, who he says had the “courage” to use him from the start.

    “I had a rest when I was with Pep for six months, that was enough,” he said.

    “I don’t want it again. That’s why I want to be on the pitch. I don’t like being out. I am thankful that I get to play most of the time. I had enough holidays.”

    The 24-year-old was part of the RB Leipzig side who reached the Champions League semi-finals last year and returned on loan to the Bundesliga outfit this season.

    Leipzig, who sit second in the table behind Bayern Munich, then exercised a clause in the deal to make his move permanent last week.

    Asked about Guardiola and Nagelsmann, he said: “They both like to play with the ball, get the ball quick, there is one thing that is a big difference – one gave me the confidence and played me and the other didn’t.

    “So I am thankful to Julian for the trust and sometimes you need, I don’t want to use a bad word, you need courage to put a player and he did from the first game.”

    Angelino was on City’s books for more than four years before being sold to PSV in 2018, with the Premier League club then repurchasing the left-sided player the following season.

    He played 12 times in all competitions before first being allowed to join Leizpig on loan in January 2020, but does not believe he got a fair chance under Guardiola.

    “It killed me,” said Angelino. “The confidence was everything, when you don’t have the trust of a coach it is everything.

    “I was judged for pre-season, two games, and then I didn’t get my chance until a few months. It is hard to play one game every two months so I am just happy that happened so I could come here and meet Julian and everyone here.

    “It was a 50/50 experience. On one side I really learned a lot from Pep, he improved me as a player on the pitch and I have to be thankful also for the experience.

    “On the other side I didn’t play as much as I wanted to or I deserved.”

    BBC

  • My most important lesson from Guardiola – Sterling

    My most important lesson from Guardiola – Sterling

    Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling admits he is constantly learning from manager Pep Guardiola.

    The Citizens are on a record run of wins domestically, and take that form into their Champions League round of 16 tie with Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday.

    Sterling, who scored the winner in a 1-0 success over Arsenal at the weekend, spoke about what Guardiola teaches him in training and during games.

    “Just that winning mentality,” said Sterling when asked by reporters how Guardiola had helped his team.

    “That is the thing I have learnt most from him and to not be content with what you have done and keep grinding, keep getting better and try to win more and more.”

  • EPL: Guardiola reveals tactical change for Man City

    EPL: Guardiola reveals tactical change for Man City

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been explaining how he changed the team’s tactics to guide the Blues to the top of the table.

    “I didn’t like the way we were playing,” he said. “In previous seasons, the wingers were wider and higher, so we came back to our principles. For many reasons, we had to adapt to the quality we had and the players we had in that moment.

    “That is the reason I tried to find the way. In the end, I felt having the wingers wide and high helped us to be more stable and the quality of the players do the rest. When we have the ball, we run less.

    “When things don’t go well, managers have the feeling we don’t fight or have the spirit. The reason we didn’t play well was because when we had the ball we ran too much. When we have the ball we need to walk. When we don’t have the ball you have to run with your life.

    “Now I think we are calmer. To play Sheffield [United] is always uncomfortable for us. That system – the 5-3-2 – is difficult to attack. I am a little bit concerned about the game tomorrow (Saturday).”

  • Guardiola hints Fernandinho set to leave Man City

    Guardiola hints Fernandinho set to leave Man City

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted Fernandinho will be leaving this summer.

    The veteran comes off contract in June.

    Guardiola said today, “With the players in this part of the season, everything is open, like if we don’t get results we will be sacked. We have to win our positions every day but I am more than impressed and surprised about the role of the first captain Fernandinho.

    “He is leading us in an exceptional way, in the good moments but especially in the bad moments and I think what everyone can take an example from what he has done so far the team will be stronger.

    “I am more than delighted with what Fernandinho has done through all our time together but especially this season.”

  • Guardiola defends Arteta after Arsenal loss to City

    Guardiola defends Arteta after Arsenal loss to City

    Pep Guardiola says it would be a “big mistake” for Arsenal to sack manager Mikel Arteta after Manchester City’s 4-1 win over the Gunners in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

    Arsenal are without a win in eight domestic league and cup matches.

    “I’m pretty sure they are going to trust him,” said Guardiola when asked if Arsenal need to stick with Arteta.

    “They will do a big mistake if they are thinking [of dismissing him].”

    Arteta said on the eve of the last-eight tie with City that he has no plans to walk away from his job and feels he has the support of the club.

    The former Arsenal captain won the FA Cup in his first season in charge and his side then beat Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield at the end of August.

    But they have been poor in 2020-21 and languish in 15th spot in the top flight, four points above the relegation zone and without a win in seven league games.

    They have qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League but they were comfortably beaten by City on Tuesday.

    Guardiola, who has won two Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and one FA Cup after failing to secure a trophy in his first season at City in 2016-17, said Arteta needs time.

    “I know his incredible quality as a human being and especially as a manager, how he is involved in everything,” added the City boss.

    “It’s just a question of time and he will do well.

    “Football changes in one week so quick. I can speak about my experience alongside him – one of the most incredible, successful teams in English history we had, and he was part of this success.

    “It would not be possible without him. To create something like this you need time like I had in my first season.”

  • I met with Pep Guardiola, but… – Laporta

    I met with Pep Guardiola, but… – Laporta

    Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta concedes a return for Pep Guardiola is now off.

    Guardiola won two Champions League titles with Laporta during the latter’s previous time as Barca president.

    There has been talk of Laporta trying to revive the partnership, but a new Manchester City contract signed by Guardiola last month has ended those hopes.

    Laporta recently met Guardiola at a function in Spain and he revealed: “He came to see us and have a good time.

    “I congratulated him on his renewal at City and I hope all is well for him because he is a friend.”

  • EPL: Arsenal must trust in Arteta, says Guardiola

    EPL: Arsenal must trust in Arteta, says Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed former assistant Mikel Arteta to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around in spite of the club’s dismal start to the season.

    With 13 points from 12 Premier League games, Arsenal are off to their worst start to a campaign in almost 40 years and the pressure is building on Arteta, who was given the manager’s job last December after winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups under Guardiola at City.

    “Arsenal don’t have a better manager that can lead this club in this year and the next,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s home game against West Bromwich Albion later on Tuesday.

    “I don’t have to give publicly my support because he has it. He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever worked with and seen.

    “I’m pretty sure he will turn things around and perform like everyone expects. When a club comes from not a good period, it needs time.

    “If I was part of the board, I would not have any doubts about his capacity to put Arsenal in the place they deserve to be.”

    Arsenal technical director Edu said Arteta was on the right track and predicted a bright future for the club, who have not won a league title since 2004.

    “Mikel is doing a great job,” Edu said. “It’s normal and easy to be driven by results. But I can see the future, see where we go and the way we are building things on a daily basis.

    “I can see a big and beautiful future. It’s very strange to say that in this moment, but I have to be fair – that’s the way I see it.”

  • Foden becoming fundamental for City – Guardiola

    Foden becoming fundamental for City – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Phil Foden as fundamental to his squad.

    The dynamic diminutive playmaker has stepped up this season after the departure of David Silva.

    “Yeah, it’s so good. Now in this moment I see him playing upfront because of his dynamic sense of goal and he helps us with first pressure,” Guardiola declared.

    “When he is 24, 25 I think he will be able to play more defensive positions.

    “Now he can play both wingers, behind strikers and as a striker.

    “As a manager, having a player like this who can play several positions is fundamental.”