As Manchester City gears up for their final match before the October international break, they prepare to take on Fulham in a crucial Premier League clash. This match marks the end of a hectic spell, with City playing seven games over 22 days. The team has maintained an unbeaten start in both the Premier League and the Champions League, and they have advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. However, despite their on-field success, there is plenty of attention on off-field developments, particularly concerning manager Pep Guardiola’s future.
Pep Guardiola’s contract situation is a hot topic among Manchester City fans, as he enters the final year of his current deal. Fans have shown their support by raising over £1000 for a banner urging Guardiola to stay. However, when asked directly about his plans, Guardiola provided an elusive response.
Pep Guardiola said, “I fell in love [with the fans] since the first day here. What’s going to happen is going to happen. I am part of this club. It is deep inside my bones.”
Despite avoiding a direct answer, Guardiola expressed his deep connection with the club, indicating that various factors, including the Premier League’s charges against the club, could influence his decision.
In related news, Manchester City’s owners, City Football Group (CFG), have announced a significant financial move by raising £210 million through issuing new preference shares. This indicates a vote of confidence in the group and potentially reinforces Manchester City’s stable position within the footballing landscape. The shares were likely issued to either the Abu Dhabi Investment Group or Silver Lake Capital, both of which hold preference shares in CFG. Silver Lake Capital notably increased its stake to 18.15% in late 2022.
Guardiola also expressed his displeasure with a new rule by FIFA ahead of the Club World Cup in 2025, which requires teams to play their “strongest” lineups. Guardiola vehemently criticized this rule, questioning its practicality.
Pep Guardiola said, “What is the strongest players? Which ones? If you tell me for them which players are stronger than the other ones? I don’t understand. We go all the squad there, we don’t go for one game. Right? We go for the whole squad. I don’t understand for the selection which player is stronger than the other one. I know. Strong means form? Maybe the strongest player for them is in a really bad condition for many reasons. Professional, physical, injuries, niggles. And I’m going to play other ones. I’m not going to [have them] say before the game which player to play. I will decide.”
Guardiola’s comments reflect his frustration over potential external influences on his team selection and scheduling challenges posed by the extended tournament.
