Pep Guardiola hits back at Premier League rivals who “want them relegated”

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Pep Guardiola hits back at Premier League rivals who “want them relegated”

Pep Guardiola reckons the vast majority of Manchester City’s Premier League rivals want the champions RELEGATED.

But the Etihad boss is standing defiant as his club waits for the verdict on the 115 charges of breaching financial regulations. A day after signing a new two-year deal, Guardiola declared: “I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it – I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff.”

City’s legal team suffered a blow on Friday when Premier League clubs voted 16-4 in favour of amendments to rules on associated partner transactions (APT) at a meeting in London on Friday.

Certain aspects of the APT regulations had been successfully challenged by City but the Premier League has now altered the rules to its satisfaction.

But when asked whether he takes pride in standing up for his club during the uncertain off-the-field times, Guardiola said: “I prefer not to be in that position but once it’s there, I love it. (It’s) because you believe in your club, and the people there. I believe what they say to me and the reasons why.”

And Guardiola, whose team will face Spurs at the Etihad this evening on the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, reaffirmed his commitment to City, regardless of any Premier League punishment.

He said: “What happens if we are relegated? I will be here. I feel it now.”

Guardiola said 12 months ago he would manage them in League One if that became their reality. He has just penned a new deal to extend for a further year and the incredibly possibility of them dropping down the football league will have been considered before he chose to remain – although he denied that was the case.

Despite that contract negotiations were smooth as he and the City hierarchy came to an agreement within hours and Guardiola – who recently made history by winning a fourth straight title – admits he deserves to have plenty of credit in the back.

“In just two hours, we did it,” he said on the contract talks. “Maybe I am arrogant, but I think we deserve to continue for what we have done in the last years.”

Pep Guardiola reveals latest blow in mixed Man City injury update for Tottenham clash.

Manchester City have been handed a huge blow after Mateo Kovacic was ruled out for up to a month by Pep Guardiola.

Kovacic has been a key player for City this season, with his importance in midfield amplified by the season-ending knee injury sustained by Rodri in September. City have missed their Ballon d’Or-winning star in the middle of the park – and the news of Kovacic’s absence will compound things after four straight defeats.

He was substituted in Croatia’s 1-1 draw against Portugal on Monday in Split and Guardiola has now confirmed the severity of the problem.

“Kovacic is injured. It will be a while, three weeks or a month,” Guardiola said in his press conference ahead of City’s Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Kovacic had started seven of City’s last 10 games, but he could now miss eight games in the crucial period before Christmas. The 30-year-old midfielder has three goals in 11 league games this season, netting a brace in the 3-2 win over Fulham last month.

City have been beset by injuries in recent weeks and had been forced to field a much-changed defence before the international break, with academy star Jahmai Simpson-Pusey thrust into the spotlight. Guardiola did at least have some good news on that front, with John Stones and Manuel Akanji now available and Nathan Ake making good progress.

“John, Manu trained good yesterday,” he said. “Nathan is coming back training. We had no central defenders, now we have three. Just Ruben [Dias] is out but he is coming back soon. I don’t know if they’re ready to play 90 minutes, but to see their faces in the training session is really good.”

Guardiola also used the opportunity to criticise England for their treatment of 19-year-old centre-back Max Alleyne, who picked up an injury while on international duty with the under-21s. “Max Alleyne as well will be injured,” said Guardiola.

“To go to the U21s because they pushed his limits and he came back injured. They should be more in contact with the doctors of the national teams and the doctors from here, because if one player goes not in a perfect condition and trains with the U21s in the morning and in the afternoon with the U20s, and then plays two games not fully fit it’s normal that he is injured and we will lose him for three weeks to a month again.”

City have lost their last four matches in all competitions – an unprecedented streak under Guardiola’s management. Nevertheless, they have the chance to cut the gap to Liverpool to two points on Saturday evening, with their rivals not facing Southampton until Sunday.

Rodri reacts to Pep Guardiola’s new Man City contract by opening door to Real Madrid transfer.

Rodri has spoken out about his Manchester City future, stating that Pep Guardiola’s decision to sign a new deal is an “important incentive” for him although interest from Real Madrid is an “honour”

Manchester City star Rodri has left the door open for a transfer to Real Madrid, despite manager Pep Guardiola signing a new contract.

Rodri has been a crucial part of City’s success since joining the club from Atletico Madrid in 2019, with the midfielder winning the Ballon d’Or earlier this year. The 28-year-old has two years left to run on his current contract and he has been linked with a move to Real.

Guardiola, meanwhile, has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain in charge until 2027. And when asked about Guardiola’s new deal, Rodri told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser : “It is a joy that Pep has decided to continue.

“It’s clear that he has been the most influential coach of my career. It’s a joy for the club and for the Citizens for him to continue for at least two more years. When I signed there, they told me that Pep would only stay for one or two years…”

When quizzed on his own future, Rodri insisted he is very happy at the Etihad but admitted that links with Real are an “honour”. The Spanish international explained: “My focus is on my recovery.

“I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to sit down and speak again. It’s clear that it [Guardiola’s contract extension] is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club.

“For the time being I’m very happy. Obviously when Madrid, the best and most successful club in history, calls you, it is an honour. You always have to pay attention. But obviously of course not.

Rodri has left the door open to a potential transfer to Real Madrid ( 

AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t look too far ahead but it’s a possibility that I could perfectly end my career in England. It’s a country that has given me everything, I have fallen in love with football there. The club is spectacular, not just from a sporting level but how it’s structured. I feel comfortable and loved there.”But Spain is my country. I am always aware of the League, the level of the teams is growing more and more. I’ve been lucky to play in both leagues, to have the best coaches in the world and I feel very satisfied.”

(Mirror)