The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • Guardiola eager to watch Mahrez against Man City

    Guardiola eager to watch Mahrez against Man City

     

    Despite failed bid to have the Riyad Mahrez in his fold during the transfer market, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola says he is looking forward watching the Algerian international lined up against Man City on Saturday.

    Guardiola tried and failed to sign Mahrez on transfer deadline day last month with the Premier League leaders unwilling to meet Leicester City’s £95 million valuation of the Algeria playmaker.

    Mahrez reacted by going on strike, much to Leicester City’s dismay, although the 2016 PFA Player of the Year ended his self-imposed exile by returning to training on Friday morning and has declared himself available to play against the club he wanted to join at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

    Whether Leicester City manager Claude Puel opts to include Mahrez in his 18-man squad remains to be seen but Guardiola hopes he features.

    “Hopefully he will play, I want him to come back soon and play, we enjoy watching him and hopefully he’ll come back soon with Leicester and play at his level,” the Manchester City manager said.

    Guardiola will be without the injured Leroy Sane, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy  on Saturday but John Stones is available again after illness along with Phil Foden, who has been out for seven weeks with ankle ligament damage.

    Guardiola said Sane will not be fit for the Champions League Round of 16, first leg away to Basel  on Tuesday  but revealed the Germany winger was running again and hinted he could be back sooner than expected. Sane was initially ruled out until late March with ankle ligament damage but could now be back this month.

    Sane suffered ankle ligament damage as a result of Joe Bennett’s challenge

    Guardiola, who also said Jesus would be back within the next fortnight, took a pot-shot at Gary Neville by insisting he would name a full substitutes’ bench against Leicester City.

    The Algeria international had not trained with the club since his proposed transfer to City failed to materialise during the January transfer window.

    But Mahrez was back at Leicester’s training ground on Friday, where he was seen smiling and laughing with his teammates.

    Aymeric Laporte’s tussle with Jamie Vardy could prove to be the key battle when Manchester City face Leicester

    Foxes manager Claude Puel said in his pre-match news conference on Thursday Mahrez would miss the game at the

    Etihad, although the situation since appears to have moved on.

    “I think Riyad will be not available for the Saturday game against Manchester City,” said Puel.

    “I hope he can get his head right and come back with us and work hard. The best way is to come back and enjoy his football.

  • Pep: i and Mourinho are like twins

    Pep: i and Mourinho are like twins

    Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have enjoyed a rivalry, in Spain and England, that has at times been acrimonious but the Manchester City manager believes they have something in common.

    The Spaniard believes that when it comes to the desire to win trophies they are identical.

    “Definitely. In that, we are twins,” said Guardiola when asked, ahead of Sunday’s derby clash, if he was as obsessed with winning as his United and former Real Madrid counterpart.

    “They want to win trophies, we want to win trophies.

    “I think Antonio Conte is the same as well, and Jurgen (Klopp) and Mauricio (Pochettino), and in all the leagues around the world, the managers are (like that),” the former FC Barcelona manager added.

    “I never criticise my colleagues for the way they play. I never did in the past, I will never do it.

    “Football is magnificent for that, because every manager plays in the way they play. There are different ways to enjoy football. It’s simple like that,” he said.

    Keeping it simple is Guardiola’s mantra ahead of the highly anticipated derby.

    Although City head to Old Trafford with an eight-point lead over their local rivals, the Spaniard is determined that his team keep their focus.

    Their focus, he said, will be on doing what they have done so well this season — playing their style of possession football.

    “The big challenge is to play good, to try to control the start point. It’s hard, because it’s United at Old Trafford. We want to try to play our game.

    “The focus is going there relaxed and knowing that if we don’t win the individual duels, it will be almost impossible to beat them,” Guardiola said.

    “We will try to play well, to play good football, what we have done, to be what we are. So I would like to finish the game and go to the locker room and feel we were what we have been for the season.

    “As for the result, nobody knows what is going to happen. We will try to find the best way to play well and to win the game,” he said.

    While a victory would send City 11 points clear ahead of the festive season, Guardiola has little time for the notion that the game could be a title decider.

    “Winning, drawing or losing on Sunday, we are not going to win or lose the English Premier League. It’s December,” he said.

    “It’s an important game, because it’s United. You can get points and deny your opponent points. But it’s the same for them.

    “I am not going into the game thinking: OK, we have an eight-point lead. What do I have to do because we have an eight-point lead? The Premier League is a marathon. We haven’t even arrived at the halfway stage yet.

    “There are a lot of points to play for, more than 70. We just focus on the game, and the result, and then after, recovery and then thinking about Swansea three days later.

    “It’s simple like that. It’s about going there and doing our game. That is what I want to see from my players.”

    NAN

  • Late goal by Silva extends Manchester City’s winning run to 13 games

    Late goal by Silva extends Manchester City’s winning run to 13 games

    David Silva scored a late goal as runaway English Premier League leaders Manchester City restored their eight-point lead with a 2-1 victory against West Ham United on Sunday.

    Silva converted Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliant pass from close range in the 83rd minute as City maintained their blistering form this season and won their 13th successive EPL game.

    Nicolas Otamendi had converted substitute Gabriel Jesus’s cross in the 57th minute to equalise, after defender Angelo Ogbonna had headed West Ham into the lead.

    It was the most unlikely lead at the end of a first half in which the hosts dominated.

    City have not lost a game since April, and face second-place rivals Manchester United next Sunday.

    West Ham, who have won only twice all season, sit 19th — three points behind West Bromwich Albion in 17th.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, in his post-match comment, said: “Today was different to (the late winning goal against) Southampton — I did not think that was going to happen.

    “But today, since after five minutes in the second half, I felt we were going to score. Our pace and pass were quicker and better. That is why we are so happy — every game is so tough and it is important to keep our momentum.

    “We started well but lost our patience and couldn’t find the players in position. They moved too much.

    “But you have ups and downs — what is important is that in the second half it was outstanding the way we played.

    “It means we have done 39 points in a row. That is a lot. You see how they run and how they fight, that’s why we are so proud again.

    “Before next week’s match against Manchester United, we have to travel to Ukraine and after that think about Old Trafford. We are going to try to be who we are,” he said.

    West Ham manager David Moyes, on his part, said: “I have to say it was a really good effort. We defended much better today.

    “We’ve worked a bit on it. We had one day where we could prepare.

    “We needed our goalkeeper to play well. He got both hands to most things. I thought most of it was outside the box. I have to say we did a really good job.

    “What a chance we had to make it 2-2 late on. My feeling was I thought we deserved it (to equalise).

    “You get results in different ways and it looked as though we might have got one today. Our effort today was top. For long parts of the game, we were in with a chance of getting a result.

    NAN

  • Heynckes to take over at Bayern Munich

    Heynckes to take over at Bayern Munich

     Treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes is set to take over at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for a fourth time, succeeding sacked Carlo Ancelotti, German media reported on Thursday.

    The 72-year-old Heynckes led Bayern to the domestic league and Cup double and the Champions League title in 2013, but then had to make way for Spaniard Pep Guardiola.

    According to the Bild newspaper, Heynckes, who also led Real Madrid to the Champions League title and coached Benfica, Athletic Bilbao and a string of Bundesliga clubs, will take over until the end of the season.

    The club could not be immediately reached for a comment.

    Italian Ancelotti took over last season, but was fired last week after the German champions slipped to second place in the league after twice squandering a two-goal lead in consecutive games.

    They had also been beaten 3-0 at Paris St Germain in the Champions League.

    Heynckes, who has not worked since 2013, had also coached Bayern from 1987 to 1991 and briefly took over at the end of the 2008/2009 season before becoming head coach from 2011 to 2013.

    NAN

  • Juventus to release Alves from contract

    Juventus to release Alves from contract

    Italian giants Juventus confirmed on Thursday they would release right-back Dani Alves from the final year of his contract.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is known to be interested in the 34-year-old, whom he knows from their time together at FC Barcelona.

    Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta said Alves had “expressed a desire to try a new experience’’.

    Marotta said Juventus hoped to reach a “mutual termination’’ with Alves.

    He wished the Brazilian good luck for the future.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alves has only been with Juve for a year, winning Serie A and reaching the UEFA Champions League final.

    Prior to that, he had spent eight seasons at FC Barcelona.

    The first four of those were under Guardiola, a period when the pair shared in two Champions League triumphs and won La Liga on three occasions.

    Manchester City do not have an experienced right-back after releasing out-of-contract duo Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna.

    Guardiola has been linked with Tottenham’s Kyle Walker as well as Alves, who he bought for FC Barcelona from Sevilla for £23m in 2008.

  • Spurs dent Arsenal champions league hope, City draw against Boro

    Spurs dent Arsenal champions league hope, City draw against Boro

    Totenham hotspur add to Arsene Wenger misery with a comfortable 2-0 derby win against Arsenal at white hart lane.

    Goals from Dele Alli and a penalty converted by Harry kane sees off their north London rival, making it diffilcut for Arsenal to qualify for next season champions league

    The home side looks well perfect and composed throughout the game dominating most of the possession for full 90 minutes keeping Arsenal shut down totally and also put an end to a  22-year curse against Arsenal topping them on the league standings for the first time in 22 years this season.

    Tottenham are back in contention for the English premier league once again securing all three points today and closing gap against the leader Chelsea.

    However, Pep Guardiola side Manchester city were forced to 2-2 draw against the bottom line side Middlesbrough thanks to an equaliser from Gabriel Jesus towards the end of the game to secure a point for City.

     

  • Fellaini sent off for headbutt in goalless Manchester derby

    Fellaini sent off for headbutt in goalless Manchester derby

    Marouane Fellaini was sent off for headbutting Sergio Aguero as Manchester City and Manchester United fought out an attritional goalless draw at Etihad Stadium to leave their hopes of a place in the Premier League’s top four still in the balance.

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be the happier after they extended their unbeaten league run to 24 games, a feat achieved without Fellaini in the closing stages after he was dismissed for a senseless headbutt on Aguero.

    Argentine Aguero came closest for City when he hit the post early on and manager Pep Guardiola was left with an injury concern when keeper Claudio Bravo was taken off on a stretcher after injuring his calf catching a cross in the second half.

    City substitute Gabriel Jesus had a later header correctly ruled out for offside as they remain in fourth place, with United a point behind in fifth as both sides have five games remaining.

    United had 30.8 percent possession – their lowest figure in a Premier League game since Opta started recording possession in 2003-04.

    But Mourinho’s side showed all the qualities that have ensured they have remained unbeaten in the Premier League since October to battle their way to a point here.

    United spent much of the game on the back foot and almost the entire second half camped in their own territory, but showed the reserves of resilience, organisation and defiance that compensates for their current lack of stardust.

    Michael Carrick provided the solid platform and for the most part City were frustrated, with too many efforts off target or lacking the power to trouble United keeper David de Gea.

    United carried real threat in the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial but their midfield lacked the guile to provide the right service.

    This result keeps United right in the hunt for the top four as they stand in fifth place, one point behind City and two points behind third-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

    The biggest minus on their night was the crass stupidity of Fellaini, needlessly involved in the incident that saw him thrust his head into the face of Aguero.

    This was deja vu for City and Guardiola – so much possession and territory, too little end result.

    City created the best chances and effectively spent the second 45 minutes camped in United territory but as on so many occasions this season, including the FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal, possession and territory was not turned into scoreline supremacy.

  • Guardiola takes blame for Man City exit

    Guardiola takes blame for Man City exit

    Pep Guardiola says his failure to convince his players to attack and be aggressive in Monaco was the reason for their Champions League elimination.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that leading 5-3 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, City fielded an attacking XI in the second leg on Wednesday but lost 3-1 to go out on away goals.

    “I tried to convince them in all the meetings we had to come here, try to attack and score,” said Guardiola.

    “My mistake was being not able to convince them to do that.”

    The Spaniard added: “I did [convince them] in the second half but it was too late.

    “All managers make mistakes but I don’t think it was down to a tactical mistake.

    “It’s simple. The difference was between the first and the second half. In the second half we tried to win the game, we tried to play. I did it all my career in that way. But the problem was the first half. We weren’t there.”

    City were overrun and sloppy at the back as they conceded twice in the first half.

    They were much improved in the second 45 minutes and looked to have saved themselves through Leroy Sane’s 71st-minute strike, but further defensive frailties were exposed as Tiemoue Bakayoko headed in a decisive third for the home side.

    Guardiola continued: “It’s not about the defence. Today was not about that. Why was the second half a problem with the defence?

    “Our strikers have to be aggressive and pick the ball up, but we didn’t at this crucial time. That’s why we are out.”

    This is the first time that a side managed by Guardiola have exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

    But he was adamant his players would learn from the experience and come back stronger next season.

    “I came here to win the Champions League. I tried, I tried – and I will try again,” he said. “Playing like we have done this season, like in the second half, would have been enough.

    “The competition is so demanding. Hopefully we are going to learn so that, next season, we can come back here and make the same performance we did at the Etihad for the whole 90 minutes.”

     

  • Pep is EPL manager of the month

    Pep is EPL manager of the month

     

    Pep Guardiola has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for February after three wins in three matches, but he doesn’t exactly appear ecstatic with the award.

    Posing with the gong, Guardiola couldn’t muster a smile despite being recognised for his side’s performances last month.

    Guardiola could be forgiven for the glum expression however, as his side struggled to a goalless draw at home to Stoke City on Wednesday night.

    Manchester City only played three matches in February due to FA Cup and Champions League commitments but emerged with a 100 percent record, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.

    City beat West Ham 4-0 at the London Stadium, won 2-1 at home to Swansea and beat Bournemouth 2-0 away from home.

    The Spaniard was selected for the award ahead off Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho and West Brom’s Tony Pulis – whose teams all won twice but drew once in February.

    Guardiola’s side currently sit third in the Premier League table, ten points off table-toppers Chelsea and behind second-placed Tottenham only on goal difference.

    City draw at home to Stoke City was understandably overshadowed by Guardiola’s former club Barcelona and their remarkable Champions League last-16 comeback against Paris Saint-Germain the same night.

  • Guardiola not listed among UEFA ‘greatest’ coaches

    Guardiola not listed among UEFA ‘greatest’ coaches

    Europe football’s governing body, UEFA, has published its list of greatest coaches in the history of the game, including Jose Mourinho but leaving out Pep Guardiola.

    The Manchester United manager found himself on the illustrious shortlist after his success in charge of Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid, Goal reports.

    The self-dubbed “Special One”  led Porto to an unlikely Champions League triumph in 2004, before winning a trio of Premier League titles with Chelsea across two separate spells.

    Mourinho lifted his second Champions League trophy in charge of Inter, before clinching a La Liga title at Madrid.

    However, ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola has not been included despite his success at Camp Nou.

    The current Manchester City boss initiated a wave of success when he first took over at Barcelona, leading the club to three La Liga titles and winning the Champions League twice.

    Guardiola then moved to Bayern Munich and clinched three Bundesliga titles, though his achievements have not landed him among UEFA’s final consideration.

    Mourinho joined Manchester United legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, on the list.

    The Scot led the Old Trafford side for 28 years and won the Premier League a remarkable 13 times along with two Champions League titles.

    Rinus Michels, widely acknowledged as the inventor of “Total Football” in charge of Ajax, Barcelona and the Netherlands during the 1970s and FIFA’s Coach of the Century, is listed alongside Helenio Herrera, who utilised Catenaccio to great effect at Inter.

    Johan Cruyff, who built on Michels’ legacy at the same teams, is joined by author of the original underdog story, Brian Clough.

    Clough was recognised for leading unfancied Nottingham Forest to consecutive European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.

    Vicente del Bosque was included for his success at Real Madrid and then Spain – whom he led to its first World Cup triumph in 2010 and then a successful defence of the European championship crown in 2012.

    Bayern Munich icon, Udo Lattek, Valeri Lobanovskiy and AC Milan hero, Arrigo Sacchi, completed the list.