Pep Guardiola after an argument with fans: “… then I’ll resign”

Team manager Pep Guardiola flirted with his own fans by saying goodbye to the English champions Manchester City. “I have no problem with the fans. If I had one, I would resign,” said the 50-year-old at a press conference on Friday.

Previously, statements by Guardiola after the Champions League opener against RB Leipzig (6: 3) caused displeasure among the supporters. The Catalan had complained about a lack of support for his team.

Only 38,062 spectators came to the game – 55,000 were possible. Guardiola now said that he had only advertised for support, “but the word is twisted in my mouth”.

Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Citizens Fan Association, had countered Guardiola, saying he should concentrate better on training. He also pointed out the pandemic situation, ticket prices and the economic consequences of the lockdowns for many fans.

“I’m not going to apologize,” Guardiola said, not even to Parker. Already in his time at FC Barcelona or Bayern Munich, he made a similar statement. He also knows the history of the club and its supporters well. “We are who we are. And I don’t even want to be like United, Liverpool, Bayern, Barcelona or Madrid,” he said.