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Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • Transfer: Man City receives one condition to endorse Cucurella

    Transfer: Man City receives one condition to endorse Cucurella

    Brighton have offered Manchester City one condition to endorse their player, Marc Cucurella

    Cucurella has been connected with Man City this ongoing summer transfer window.

    As per The Athletic, Brighton will presently simply return to the negotiating table in a bid to sell Cucurella in the event that the Premier League champions present a deal which meets their valuation of the player.

    They have advised the Citizens to cough up at least £50million in order to sign Cucurella.

    Be that as it may, the most recent bid Man City tabled for the defender was just £30million.

    In the interim, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola, is quick to sign another defender before the transfer window closes after losing Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal this summer.

  • Why I benched Haaland in pre-season games – Pep Guardiola

    Why I benched Haaland in pre-season games – Pep Guardiola

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has stated reasons why he benched new acquisition, Erling Haaland in their pre-season friendly against Club America.

    The Norway striker did not come off the bench as City beat the MLS side 2-1 on Wednesday night.

    However, Guardiola explained that the Norwegian forward is injured and he’s still recuperating at the moment.

    However, Haaland is expected to feature against Bayern Munich in their next match.

    “He’s trained just two sessions and didn’t want to take risks. The season is so long.”

    Josep “Pep” Guardiola Sala is a Spanish professional football manager and former player, who is the current manager of Premier League club Manchester City.

  • Raheem Sterling set to join Chelsea FC, gives conditions

    England and Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling  has given Chelsea Coach Thomas Tuchel a condition if the Blues want him to cross to the London side.

    The 27-year-old wants to get assurance for play time  from Tuchel before pitching his tent with the London club.

    Chelsea want to make Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling their headline signing this summer and are prepared to pay up £60million, the UK Sun reports.

    Chelsea’s new owners are ready to back Thomas Tuchel with a £200m warchest and make significant additions to a squad, as they seek to keep pace with City and Liverpool next season.

    Sterling has just a year left on his contract and most likely to become a free agent next year.

    City boss, Pep Guardiola, would prefer to keep Sterling, but the club don’t want to lose one of their prize assets on a free transfer next summer.

    Sterling is keen on a return to his London roots, but will seek assurances from Tuchel over the role his likely to play in his plans.

     

    Tuchel already has an abundance of attacking options in his squad, but with doubts over the futures of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, he is likely to be able to offer Sterling the guarantee of first team football he craves.

  • Guardiola was right about Liverpool enjoying massive support – Chelsea boss, Tuchel

    Guardiola was right about Liverpool enjoying massive support – Chelsea boss, Tuchel

    Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has towed the same route with his Manchester City counterpart, Pep Guardiola that the entire country support Liverpool.

    Tuchel who spoke at a pre-match conference ahead of the FA Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea posited that Liverpool enjoy massive support from England.

    Asked about Guardiola’s position, Tuchel affirmed that Guardiola was right.

    According to him, “I’m not a Liverpool fan. I can understand why he made [that comment]. I can understand why he has that feeling. In general I would say it is hard to really argue with it.

    “It isn’t about Chelsea, it’s about Man City and Liverpool, right? I did not say I agree 100% but I can see.

    “I believe I can understand what he meant. There is a huge sympathy for Liverpool in the country. They work hard for it and no offence. I can understand what he means.”

  • I wasn’t brought to Man City to win Champions League – Guardiola

    I wasn’t brought to Man City to win Champions League – Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have already achieved their aims by being contenders in every competition, insisting he was not brought to the Etihad Stadium to win the UEFA Champions League.

    Manchester City’s wait for European football’s top club prize will go on after they lost 6-5 on aggregate to Real Madrid on Wednesday following an incredible semi-final collapse.

    But in a lengthy response to a question about his players’ chances of ever winning the competition ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Newcastle United, Guardiola had much to say.

    He explained how the club view success differently from “the people” on the outside.

    “I don’t know [if this team can win it],” he said. “It’s a question I cannot answer. Before Madrid, I did not know if we were able to win it.

    “I don’t have an answer to all your questions. Football is incredibly unpredictable –— we saw it.

    “This is my feeling, maybe I’m wrong: Abu Dhabi didn’t buy this club and invest in these incredible facilities, invest in players, like a lot of other clubs in the world, to be what we lived the last years.

    “It’s not to win just the UEFA Champions League. They did it to be there in all competitions, in every season, compete, compete, compete until the end.

    “We will try again next season. It will be difficult, because the teams are good. I know the people want to be in that way, I accept it from day one, I have to handle it, but it’s not a problem for me.”

    Guardiola insisted he “cannot live” for European glory alone –— and suggested Manchester City would be criticised even if they did win the UEFA Champions League.

    Asked if the defeat gave him added hunger, he replied: “No, always I am starving.

    “I know the people outside here demand Champions League, Champions League, Champions League, we know it, but I cannot live [just for that].

    “The moment we win the Champions League, they’ll say look at the money we spent. If not, they spent all that money and didn’t win the Champions League. We are the only club in the world in the last 10, 15, 20 years who spent money.”

  • Guardiola insists Manchester City “will rise” after Real Madrid shock

    Guardiola insists Manchester City “will rise” after Real Madrid shock

    Pep Guardiola promised on Thursday that Manchester City would bounce back from their UEFA Champions League heartache at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Wednesday.

    Manchester City were within moments of booking a return to the competition’s final match on Wednesday night.

    They held a 1-0 lead –– and a 5-3 aggregate advantage –– over Real Madrid in an absorbing semi-final second leg.

    But the English Premier League (EPL) leaders caved in in dramatic fashion as Rodrygo struck twice with 90 minutes on the clock to send the tie into extra-time.

    With Manchester City still reeling, Karim Benzema then put Real Madrid ahead for the first time over the two legs from the penalty kick spot.

    The Spanish giants held on for a memorable 3-1 success on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, to progress to a final date with Liverpool in Paris.

    Manchester City must now quickly pick themselves up from this shattering loss as the Premier League title race resumes at the weekend.

    Guardiola’s side, who host Newcastle United on Sunday, have no room for error, with Liverpool trailing them by just a point with four games remaining.

    The Manchester City manager however said: “We need time now, one or two days, but we will rise. We have to do it (and) with our people (we will).

    “The players gave everything. We were so close and we could not do it.”

    Guardiola felt Real Madrid’s dramatic late recovery came from nowhere.

    He said: “There is a long history in sport of this kind of situation happening when you arrive at the end, 10 or 15 minutes left, and you are absolutely being dominated with the opponent creating a lot of problems. But that didn’t happen.

    “Then they found it, and a minute later another one. With their people supporting it was difficult and after the penalty kick made the difference.”

  • African Curse is why Pep Guardiola won’t win UCL again – Yaya Toure’s agent

    African Curse is why Pep Guardiola won’t win UCL again – Yaya Toure’s agent

    Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitriy Seluk’s comments from 2018 have again resurfaced where he claimed African curse is the reason why Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola cannot win the UEFA Champions League again.

    City snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, losing their semi-final second leg 3-1 at the Bernabeu to exit the competition with a 6-5 aggregate defeat.

    Guardiola’s side had looked to be on course for the final after Riyad Mahrez’s goal put them 1-0 up on the night, and 5-3 ahead in the tie.

    But two dramatic late goals from Madrid substitute Rodrygo sent the semi-final to extra-time before Karim Benzema sealed victory for the home side from the penalty spot.

    It is now 11 years since Guardiola last won the Champions League while at Barcelona. That is despite him coaching the biggest club in Germany, Bayern Munich, and now the richest club in England since his time at the Nou Camp.

    Seluk’s comments from 2018 resurfaced again, where he claimed the Catalan coach angered “all Africa” by benching the Ivory Coast international during the player’s final year at City.

    “He [Guardiola] turned all Africa against himself, many African fans turned away from Manchester City.

    “And I’m sure that many African shamans in the future will not allow Guardiola to win the Champions League.

    “This will be for Guardiola an African curse. Life will show whether I am right or not,” Seluk said at the time

    A lot to unpack there. Shamans, who boast the power of being able to invoke good or bad spirits, definitely don’t seem willing to deny Guardiola glorious domestic success wherever he goes. But Seluk is adamant.

    “The fact that Guardiola ended Yaya’s career in Manchester City is not even a mistake, but a crime.

    “But the boomerang will return, Pep. You will still see what the African shamans are. Remember this always,” he added.

    Toure and Guardiola had a sometimes strained relationship, despite their success together. The Ivorian played in Pep’s first Champions League final win in 2009, filling in in central defence for the 2-0 victory over Manchester United.

    However, in 2010 he left Barca to join Man City and did not have the fondest memories of his ex-coach.

    Toure became a City legend for his attacking midfield displays while at Man City but in 2016, the pair’s paths crossed again when Guardiola arrived at the club.

    Toure featured fairly regularly during Guardiola’s first season in Manchester, but was a bit-part player during 2017/18 and was allowed to leave the club at the end of the season, which apparently angered the player’s agent and – if Seluk is to be believed – African shamans.

    Whatever the reason, Guardiola and City will have to wait another year for a shot at Champions League glory.

  • EPL: You are wasting your time – Pep Guardiola tells Jurgen Klopp

    EPL: You are wasting your time – Pep Guardiola tells Jurgen Klopp

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has told his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp to stop wasting his time complaining over fixture overload.

    He said the Premier League is a busy one where adjustment are rarely made to fixtures.

    In a joking manner Guardiola then said that coaches could take jobs in the “Maldives League” if they are unhappy with the schedule.

    Liverpool took on Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday and will play Newcastle United in Saturday’s early kick-off by 12;30pm before travelling to Spain for the reverse Champions League fixtures.

    Klopp has described the quick turnaround between games as “brutal” and Liverpool saw a request to move the fixture at St James’ Park to Saturday night rejected by the Premier League.

  • Guardiola defends team selection after Manchester City’s FA Cup exit

    Guardiola defends team selection after Manchester City’s FA Cup exit

    Pep Guardiola had no regrets over his selection after Manchester City’s treble bid ended with defeat to rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday in London.

    Manchester City manager Guardiola saw his side go down 3-2 at Wembley after making seven changes to the team.

    It was the team that came through a bruising UEFA Champions League clash at Atletico Madrid in midweek.

    One of those changes saw second-choice goalkeeper Zack Steffen come in for Ederson.

    The American made a poor mistake to gift a goal to Sadio Mane after Ibrahima Konate had given Liverpool an early lead.

    With Mane volleying in a second on the stroke of half-time, Manchester City were 3-0 down at the interval and staring at a heavy defeat.

    Guardiola, however, defended his players and was pleased with their response in the second half.

    The Spaniard said: “I have a lot of confidence in my players and selections. I trust a lot of them.

    “We had a terrible run of fixtures and travel and a lot of important games. That’s why we needed fresh legs.

    “We started well but after one set-piece, where Liverpool are so strong, and the second was an accident, it was tough.

    “Then we conceded a third in the last minute of the first half.

    “In the first half we were so passive, we were scared to support people when we went there. But in the second half we had the momentum, we had the most clear chances.”

    Guardiola was particularly supportive of Steffen, who dwelt too long on a backpass from Nathan Ake and lost control, allowing Mane to slide in and score.

    He said: “It’s an accident, it happens. Edi (Ederson) was close (to making a similar mistake) in the last game (against Liverpool) as well.

    “We need that to create our football. Mane was quicker and that’s all.

    “I’m pretty sure Zack didn’t want to do it. Sometimes strikers miss chances in front of goalkeepers, but goalkeepers are punished more.”

    Guardiola said he was limited in his selection choices by injuries.

    Substitutes Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan remained on the bench due to knocks and Kyle Walker was not involved at all.

    The Spaniard has little time to dwell on the matter, with the leaders’ attention turning back to their Premier League title challenge with Wednesday’s visit of Brighton.

    Guardiola said: “When you play a lot of games, and you don’t have that big a squad, it is difficult.

    “When everybody is fit, it’s OK. But when we have a few injuries, it is not enough.

    “We’ve had Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool in a short time.

    “We can rotate some players but we know when we arrive at this stage of the season and you are fighting for the titles there is no time to rest.”

  • EPL title race: We kept Liverpool alive by not winning – Guardiola

    EPL title race: We kept Liverpool alive by not winning – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left to rue a missed opportunity as he feels their 2-2 draw with Liverpool has left their rivals still “alive” in the title race.

    Manchester City were twice pegged back at the Etihad Stadium after goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus were cancelled out by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.

    It means there remains only a point between the pair at the top of the table with seven matches remaining.

    But Manchester City have the advantage in terms of the lead and their fixture list.

    However, Guardiola admits they had a chance to put the race to bed after a dominant first half against out-of-sorts opponents.

    He said: “It was a fantastic game from both sides and both sides tried to win every game in all competitions.

    “I had the feeling that with this result we missed an opportunity, a feeling we left them alive.

    “But I said to the team ‘I don’t want one second of sadness’. I’m so glad and happy with the way we played. When you do many good things the sadness is there, but I said ‘Forget it’.

    “We were ourselves, we performed incredibly well and unfortunately we could not win. In general it was a good performance, (I’m) so happy and glad for my team.”

    As a result, Guardiola accepts the race is still wide open with no room for error.

    “Win, lose or draw it will not end, I had the feeling before but both teams knew it was massively important and we played for that.

    “We know that right now one game dropped we will not be champions, we know that if we drop (points) we will not be champions. Now we know if we drop we will miss something.

    “They have to win all the games too, but today all Manchester City and Liverpool fans will see that both teams tried to win the game.

    “I think it’s nice to say that. I was watching the punches, we attack they attack with our weapons and it’s good for football.”

    Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp took a similar pragmatic approach to their title chances.

    He said before the game the result would be defining.

    Klopp stuck by that assertion, even though he accepts it will be more difficult for his side with so few games remaining and no room for manoeuvre.

    Asked if they now had to win their remaining seven matches, having been on a run of 10 consecutive league victories before this draw, the Reds boss said: “Yeah, I think that’s probably right.

    “We knew it in January if we wanted to win we had to win 18 games, if there was one game we can draw it’s today.

    “Now we have two massive games, Benfica (in the UEFA Champions League) and the FA Cup (semi-final) with Manchester City and then it really starts.

    “We are where we want to be, close to an incredible side, and I said a couple of times if you don’t have luck in life you’re screwed.

    “We need the right decisions, and we have to be as close to perfection to win seven Premier League games. Insane, but that’s the only way to beat this team —- even if that’s enough.”