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Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • Guardiola Labels Manchester City’s Club World Cup Final Appearance as a “Unique Opportunity”

    Guardiola Labels Manchester City’s Club World Cup Final Appearance as a “Unique Opportunity”

    By Daniel Edu

    Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has characterized his team’s advancement to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final as a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance.

    In the semi-finals of the 2023 Club World Cup on Tuesday night, December 19, Guardiola’s squad, missing their injured star Erling Haaland, faced off against Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds.

    The Japanese team exhibited remarkable defensive resilience until the conclusion of the first half when defender Marius Hoibraten inadvertently redirected Matheus Nunes’ cross into his own net.

    Shortly into the second half, Mateo Kovacic extended City’s lead by seizing the ball from Kyle Walker and slotting a shot past Urawa Red’s goalkeeper, Shusaku Nishikawa.

    Approaching the hour mark, Nishikawa thwarted Nunes’ low attempt towards the bottom right corner for the Asian champions. Portuguese forward Bernardo Silva capitalized on the rebound to net City’s third goal.

    City aims to become the fourth English club to secure the Club World Cup, following in the footsteps of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.

    Guardiola, who had previously won the competition during his tenure at Bayern Munich and as FC Barcelona manager, is poised to add to his accolades, given City’s convincing victory over the Asian champions.

    Expressing the significance of reaching the Club World Cup final, Guardiola stated, “The players understand how crucial it is for the club. To reach this final, you have to achieve extraordinary feats like winning the Champions League. This might be the only occasion we play this in our lifetime. We are there. We will strive to win a title we don’t possess and complete the circle.”

    The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final will see Manchester City facing off against Fluminense of Brazil, who secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly in the first semi-final on Monday. The final is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, December 22.

  • Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola Reveals Possible Successor

    Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola Reveals Possible Successor

    By Daniel Edu

    Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has reportedly informed Brighton’s players that their manager, Roberto De Zerbi, is in line to succeed him at Man City, according to reports from the UK Telegraph.

    Roberto De Zerbi, who has been in charge at Brighton for 13 months, has made a strong impression in the Premier League since taking over from Graham Potter. Under his management, Brighton secured a sixth-placed finish, earning European football for the first time in the club’s history. Brighton is also regarded as one of the most exciting teams in the English topflight.

    The revelation about De Zerbi came to light after Manchester City played at Brighton’s Amex Stadium in May. In the tunnel after the match, Guardiola was reportedly speaking to a few Brighton players and gestured toward De Zerbi, saying, “that’s the next Man City manager.”

    It’s noted that De Zerbi is highly admired at Manchester City. However, it’s important to highlight that Guardiola’s contract with Man City is set to expire in 2025, so whether or not De Zerbi becomes his successor remains to be seen.

  • **”Guardiola Frustrated by Kalvin Phillips’ Performance at Manchester City”**

    **”Guardiola Frustrated by Kalvin Phillips’ Performance at Manchester City”**

    By Daniel Edu

    Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has voiced his frustration with the inability to fully unlock the potential of Kalvin Phillips, who transferred to the club from Leeds United over a year ago.

    Guardiola’s comments come ahead of the Carabao Cup match between Manchester City and Newcastle United scheduled for tonight. He expressed his disappointment that Phillips has not yet reached his peak performance level at the Etihad Stadium.

    Kalvin Phillips, an English midfielder, made the switch to Manchester City from Leeds United during the summer of 2022 in a £45 million transfer deal. However, since his arrival, the 27-year-old England international has made only 24 appearances in all competitions, with most of his contributions coming from the bench.

    In contrast, during his tenure at Leeds United, Phillips was a standout player, particularly under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa. He played a pivotal role in the team and even earned a place in the England national squad before Leeds secured promotion to the Premier League.

    Phillips’ limited involvement at Manchester City becomes more evident when considering that two of his last four starts occurred towards the end of the previous season when City had already clinched their third consecutive Premier League title.

    Notably, Phillips now has an opportunity to make a significant impact for Manchester City, especially with fellow holding midfielder Rodri serving a three-game suspension following an altercation during a game against Nottingham Forest.

    Guardiola shared his thoughts on Phillips’ situation, stating, “Marcelo [Bielsa] brought out the best in Kalvin during his career. I wish I could have achieved with Kalvin what Marcelo did with him. We have our unique style of play, and at times, Kalvin faces challenges adapting to it, whereas the previous style at Leeds was a perfect fit for him.”

    He also mentioned that the club engaged in discussions with Phillips regarding his limited playing time, but the player expressed his desire to remain at Manchester City. Guardiola emphasized that they brought Phillips to the club for his quality and commended the player’s eagerness to learn and contribute to the team’s success.

  • Inter Milan’s Inzaghi shares strategy to neutralize Man City’s Haaland

    Inter Milan’s Inzaghi shares strategy to neutralize Man City’s Haaland

    Inter Milan manager, Simone Inzaghi has hinted how his team would stop Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland when both teams clash in the Champions League final on Saturday night.Man City are the heavy favourites going into Saturday night’s final in Istanbul, Turkey, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to complete a remarkable title following their Premier League and FA Cup triumphs.

    Inter are expected to put up great resistance, but Man City may prove to be too much, especially with Haaland up top.Haaland has scored 52 goals in as many appearances in his maiden season at the Etihad, including 12 in 10 Champions League games so far.

    But Inzaghi is now saying that Inter players will mark Haaland tightly during the encounter.

    “We all know what a great player he [Erling Haaland] is and how strong City are,” Inzaghi said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.“He will be marked tightly. However, we will keep a close eye on all the City players. We need to stop Haaland and also the other players.

    He added, “The midfield will be key tomorrow, but all areas will be important. We will need to run and we need hearts and minds too. We need to go to an extra yard tomorrow.”

  • PSG v Man City: Will Lionel Messi break goal drought against Pep Guardiola’s side?

    PSG v Man City: Will Lionel Messi break goal drought against Pep Guardiola’s side?

    Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi won 14 trophies together at Barcelona during a four-year period and the pair have been dominant forces in European football for more than a decade.

    Since parting ways when Guardiola left the Catalan club in 2012, no player has scored more goals against his teams in the Champions League than Messi.

    Their longstanding relationship and Messi’s enduring brilliance helps explain why Guardiola tried to sign Messi in the summer. The Argentine instead ended up at Paris St-Germain and will face his former manager in the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00 BST).

    “It was a surprise for everyone but what happened happened. Everyone now accepts it,” Guardiola said in the build-up to the game.

    “A long time ago you couldn’t imagine it but it happened. In life itself you never know what happens. What is important is he’ll be happy in Paris.

    “Messi speaks for himself, I don’t have to describe him. What he’s done is more than exceptional and hopefully tomorrow he can play for the benefit of the game.”

  • Man City boss confident return of fans to stadiums will be successful

    Man City boss confident return of fans to stadiums will be successful

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the long-awaited return of fans to stadiums in England will happen without any major issues.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that stadiums in tier 1 areas of England will be able to welcome up to 4,000 fans when the national lockdown ends on December 2. Grounds in tier 2 areas be allowed to hold up to 2,000 people, but those in tier 3 areas will remain closed to the public.

    Guardiola does not envisage any major problems if Manchester City are able to open their gates at the Etihad to supporters for the first time since March.

    “If they believe this is the best, we can do it, hopefully it will work and nothing wrong will happen. Everyone is [waiting] for fans to come back into stadiums,” he said ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Olympiacos.

    “If the government have decided this it is because they have listened to the scientists and the doctors for what is the best for everyone.

    “We are a lucky profession for the fact we can do our job. How many jobs are closed and will not reopen again? We are waiting to come back for our fans.”

    Sergio Aguero was on the bench during the 2-0 loss to Tottenham after recovering from a hamstring injury but did not get on the field.

    After the Argentinian underwent knee surgery in the summer, Guardiola is wary of rushing him back too soon.

    He said: “Today he trained again. What we want is for him to feel a good feeling in his knee.

    “We wait for him and there is still time. We have many, many games to play and we will need him. We want him in the best condition.”

    Guardiola added that left-back Benjamin Mendy is back in contention after injury and midfielder Fernandinho has recovered from gastroenteritis.

    Defender Nathan Ake is still out with a thigh injury but should return to training on Friday.

    City are chasing a fourth-successive win in the competition which would secure a place in the last 16.

    Guardiola, whose side were beaten by Tottenham at the weekend, said: “It is important for our qualification and also to recover our feelings. To be able to win games is important.

    “We can leave this competition until February and focus on other competitions, especially the Premier League.”

  • Pep Guardiola speaks on why he signed new two-year contract with Manchester City

    Pep Guardiola speaks on why he signed new two-year contract with Manchester City

    Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola says he’s ‘very excited’ to continue with the challenge of ‘improving and evolving’ the club after putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract.

    The 49-year-old Spaniard has put an end to speculation over his future by committing to the summer of 2023, with his previous deal due to expire at the end of the season.

    Since taking over the reins from Manuel Pellegrini back in July 2016, Guardiola has steered City to eight major trophies and won 181 of his 245 games in charge.

    ‘Ever since I arrived at Manchester City I have been made to feel so welcome in the club and in the city itself – from the players, the staff, the supporters, the people of Manchester and the chairman and owner,’ Guardiola told City’s official website.

    ‘Since then we have achieved a great deal together, scored goals, won games and trophies, and we are all very proud of that success.

    ‘Having that kind of support is the best thing any manager can have. I have everything I could possibly want to do my job well and I am humbled by the confidence the owner, chairman, Ferran and Txiki have shown in me to continue for two more years after this season.

    ‘The challenge for us is to continue improving and evolving, and I am very excited and about helping Manchester City do that.’

    City chairman Khaldoon Mubarak said: ‘It is testament to the qualities of the man that Pep Guardiola’s passion and intelligent approach are now woven into the very fabric of the football we play and our culture as a club, ‘That impact has been central to our success during his tenure and it is why I am delighted that he shares our view that there is so much more to be achieved both on and off the field. ‘Pep’s contract extension

    ‘It is a product of the mutual trust and respect that exists between him and the entire Club.  It also goes to the stability and creativity at the heart of our football operations. 

    ‘Importantly it is a validation of the football structure and philosophy that has been built over more than a decade and to which he has contributed so much.

    ‘I’m sure all City fans share my delight in this new agreement and in anticipating the exciting opportunities that, with continued hard work, are there to be taken.’

  • Guardiola sends clear message to Barcelona over potential return

    Guardiola sends clear message to Barcelona over potential return

    Pep Guardiola has made the clearest statement yet that he will not be leaving Manchester City to re-join Barcelona and has no desire to ever return to the Camp Nou dugout.

    The Spaniard is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad and is Barca presidential candidate Victor Font’s top target to take over as manager should he win the upcoming election.

    Guardiola has previously been coy on his long-term future, but has now completely ruled out the prospect of returning to Barcelona and believes that chapter of his life is over.

    ‘I’ve said many times, my period as a manager in Barcelona is over,’ the City boss told BT Sport after his side’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.

    ‘I think in the life there is once in a lifetime you have to do the things and there are incredible people who can be in charge now, for example Ronald Koeman is an excellent manager. ‘So it’s over. I will come back to my seeds to see my club to watch the game.

    ‘It’s done. I am here [at Manchester City], I am incredibly happy here. ‘I still have a desire to do well and this is the most important thing.

    Now there will be elections in Barcelona, hopefully they can choose the right persons, the right board, to maintain this incredible club that Barcelona is at the highest level.’

    Manchester City won in Sheffield on Saturday thanks to a solitary goal from local boy Kyle Walker, moving up to seventh place in the Premier League table and are now just two points off top spot.

  • ‘We miss him a lot’ – Pep Guardiola finally addresses Sergio Aguero’s contract situation at Manchester City

    ‘We miss him a lot’ – Pep Guardiola finally addresses Sergio Aguero’s contract situation at Manchester City

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has come out to address star player, Sergio Aguero’s contract situation at the club, with the Argentine striker set to become a free agent next summer.


    According to Guardiola, the club “misses him a lot” when he’s not fit to play but a contract renewal “depends on his physical condition”

    Aguero,32,  has spent the last nine years of his career in Manchester scoring 255 goals in 373 appearances for City during that time.


    He is the club’s all-time record scorer in  but has suffered from injuries the last twos seasons.

    After four months out with a knee issue, he returned against Arsenal on October 17, and netted his 40th Champions League goal four days later in a 3-1 win over Porto.

    Guardiola confirmed that Aguero will spend four more weeks on the treatment table.

    When asked if the club have opened talks with Aguero over a contract renewal, he expressed his frustration over the striker’s ongoing fitness problems.

    “I don’t know, I don’t want to talk about it because I am not involved with this,” Guardiola told a pre-match press conference.

    “If I should be involved in contracts, maybe the day should be 48 hours, not 24! What I want is for Sergio to be fit, what I want is Sergio [to] come back again, be ready as much as possible.

    “We miss him a lot. What he has done for this club is outstanding, [he] will be a legend of this club, we want to enjoy him before but it depends on his physicality and his physical condition.”

    Guardiola’s men have slipped to 13th in the Premier League standings after five fixtures, but do have a game in hand on current league leaders Everton.

  • Guardiola names key players to miss EPL clash for Leeds city against Man City

    Guardiola names key players to miss EPL clash for Leeds city against Man City

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has named two key players that will miss his side’s away Premier League clash with Leeds United on Saturday evening.

    According to Guardiola, the players are Midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan and Striker, Gabriel Jesus.

    Gundogan, who has missed Man City’s first four matches of the season after testing positive for COVID-19 on 21 September, returned to the club’s training facility on Friday after 10-days of isolation.

    Jesus, meanwhile, is still recovering from the muscular problem he picked up against Wolves.

    “Today was the first day he [Gundogan] came back to the locker room, but he did not train with us,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

    “He will train with us during the international break, and we will see.”

    Speaking on Jesus, Guardiola added: “He is not ready. Hopefully, after the international break, he will be ready.”

    Guardiola’s men head to the game after losing 5-2 to Leicester City at Etihad last weekend in the Premier League.

    The match kick-off time is at 5:30 pm.