"I have an idea on the line-up and try to see how they played lately, what we have to do, adjust some things, but it's not just Anfield, all big stages and big games always need big personalities," he said at Friday's press conference. "I've said many times it's not about the skills of the players in the first division and Premier League and the big leagues.
You may find yourself living in a glass and steel yak-fur-lined penthouse. You may find yourself with six Premier League titles and a sport refashioned in your image. You may find yourself in front of a large advert board covered in words such as Experience Abu Dhabi, haunted by images of suffering, a scythe clanking gently at your shoulder. And you may say, well, how did I get here?
I didn't say anything special. I don't feel that. Why should I not express what I feel? Just because I'm a manager, said Guardiola. I don't agree but I respect all opinions. What I said basically is how many conflicts there are right now all around the world. I condemn all of them. If innocent people are killed, I condemn them all - not this country being more than the other one.
Pep Guardiola defended his stance of speaking up about global conflicts by asking, "why should I not express what I feel, just because I am a manager?" On Tuesday, the Manchester City boss said he wants to use his position to "speak up to be a better society" as he talked at a football news conference about the "hurt" he feels for victims of global conflict.
Pep Guardiola is a football manager. While his humanitarian reflections may be well intentioned, he should focus on football. Manchester City is being let down by him repeatedly straying into commentary on international affairs. This is the second time in a week he has decided to offer his controversial views on the Middle East conflict. It's especially galling given his total failure to use his significant platform to display any solidarity with the Jewish community
We have repeatedly asked for prominent individuals to be mindful about the words they use given how Jewish people have had to endure attacks across the globe, Pep Guardiola is a football manager. Whilst his humanitarian reflections may be well-intentioned, he should focus on football. Manchester City is being let down by him repeatedly straying into commentary on international affairs. This is the second time in a week he has decided to offer his controversial views on the Middle East conflict.
There's no denying that Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side of the late 2000s and early 2010s was one of the greatest of the modern era. As well as the silverware - three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions Leagues among other gongs - the team's style of play, influence and legacy mean that Guardiola's team's place in the history books is secure forever.
Neither were at the property at the time with Dias, who is currently injured, watching City's Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday and Jama working abroad. Lijnders said: "I didn't speak with him personally but Rúben will come back on Monday to team training. "These are the things you don't want to happen. We will support him and let's see how it goes from there."
Mikel Arteta has said failing to maintain his "great" relationship with Pep Guardiola amid a title race would set a "bad example" for sport and instead pointed to the respectful rivalry between tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The pair first met at Barcelona's La Masia academy when Arteta was just 15 years old and he later worked under Guardiola at Manchester City for three seasons prior to becoming Arsenal boss in 2019.
Michael Carrick will be in the home dugout on Saturday aiming to cause a surprise on his return to Manchester United. Carrick has taken over as the club's interim head coach until the end of the season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5. The former United midfielder could scarcely have asked for a more difficult first test than the visit of Manchester City.
Manchester City are interested in signing Dro Fernandez from Barcelona in the January transfer window, according to . The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that Fernandez has already told Barcelona that he wants to leave midway through the season, with Man City among the clubs keen on a deal. The report has claimed that Man City manager Pep Guardiola has personally told the club to make a move for Fernandez.
If you still have the stamina for more football quizzes, we have curated a fresh batch of challenges to test the depth of your footballing obsession, all courtesy of Kwizly. From the storied history of the world's oldest cup competition to the global reach of the World Cup, there is plenty here to keep you occupied. We'll start with a tribute to the tactical masterminds of the domestic game. We want to see how many FA Cup-winning managers you can name, from 2025 backwards.
Despite all the questions I'm getting on Enzo Maresca and Manchester United he's been linked in Italy with a potential role at Manchester United. At the moment guys, what I'm told is that Manchester City are interested in Enzo Maresca for the future. As I always told you, it's not something imminent. It's not something guaranteed. It's something for the future if Enzo Maresca will be available as a manager when Pep Guardiola decides to leave. But Pep has not decided anything at this stage.
When Jack Grealish arrived from Aston Villa for 100m in 2022, he was one of English football's most audacious, improvisational talents a player unafraid of expression. But the free roaming virtuoso of Villa Park became, for better or worse, a cog in Guardiola's relentless possession machine: his dribbles per game dropped by 40% in his first season at the club, and his flair and freedom was swapped for a regimented support role.