Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola heavily criticized for makin these statements
On Sunday, Liverpool defeated Chelsea to win the 2024 EFL Carabao Cup. A decisive late header from Virgil Van Dijk in extra time saw the Reds lift their 10th title. While the soccer community exploded in celebration of Jurgen Klopp and Co.’s triumph, Pep Guardiola dropped a huge bombshell statement, asserting that winning the Carabao Cup ‘doesn’t matter.’
The bold revelation came in the recent press conference ahead of the FA Cup 5th round against Luton Town. Interestingly, Merseyside’s historic EFL win became a topic of discussion as the Manchester City boss acknowledged watching the ‘incredible‘ final. While congratulating both Chelsea and Liverpool, he delved into an instance involving his former assistant coach, Brian Kidd, who made some significant claims about the Carabao Cup.
“I remember when I arrived, Brian Kidd told me, ‘Carabao Cup? Don’t pay attention. Play the young players.’ So nobody cares,” said Guardiola. Interestingly, this wasn’t the only time he got such candid advice over the domestic tournament.
“Sir Alex Ferguson always [said] ‘It doesn’t matter.’ I don’t know what happened last year. It was like the final, [and] I don’t know which competition [we were in]. That’s the truth,” added Guardiola. Notably, the 2017/18 Carabao Cup was the first trophy that Guardiola won as a new City coach. His side went on to dominate the competition by winning it three consecutive times. However, the Sky Blues haven’t reached the final since 2021, as this season they were knocked out by Newcastle United in the third round. After all, winning it four consecutive times made it boring for Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s excitement to win the Carabao Cup faded
Manchester United had ended their six-year silverware exile to lift the 2022–23 Carabao Cup. The Red Devils, under Erik ten Hag, defeated Newcastle United 2-0. However, Pep Guardiola underscored City’s dominance over their rivals by revealing that while his side was excited to win the Carabao Cup in his first season as City boss, that excitement waned in subsequent seasons.
“The fourth time we travelled there to win the Carabao Cup for the fourth time in a row, it was, ‘Well, it’s OK, another one, another day in the office’,” said Guardiola, in a press conference earlier. Perhaps the former Bayern Munich boss isn’t keen on the idea of winning the Carabao Cup, as he must be focused on much more significant trophies like the Premier League or the Champions League. It’s evident from what he asserted above following Liverpool’s win.
Manchester City are set to be handed £50million after winning the Club World Cup as their fourth trophy in just six months
Pep Guardiola manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.
Pep Guardiola is set for a £50million Manchester City windfall
Manchester City are set to receive £50million as further reward for their truly stunning 2022/23 season where they won three trophies.
Pep Guardiola and his players won the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League to complete a historic treble and they are aiming to repeat those accomplishments in this campaign. Liverpool currently sit top of the table but Man City are just one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s men.
They also have a foot in the Champions League quarter-finals following their 3-1 victory over Copenhagen in the last-16 first leg, while they will soon have a chance to go into the next round of the FA Cup with their fifth round tie against Luton Town set for next Tuesday.
After winning those three competitions last season, City earned £300m in prize money and more will be on the way if they can win more trophies. However, a £50million windfall has already arrived for Guardiola’s side after they won the Club World Cup back in December with a 4-0 win in the final against Fluminense, according to Sunday’s print edition of the Daily Star.
On Saturday evening, the reigning champions picked up another league win with a narrow over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Phil Foden netted in the first half and the visitors were required to survive a nervy few moments as the Cherries searched for an equaliser.
Following the win, Guardiola made an honest admission of his players that will likely send a warning to all the clubs City are battling against for trophies. “They are supermen, honestly. The mentality. Our fans have to be so proud of the guys. I don’t know what happens end of the season but I will be there close to them.”
Following their victory, title rivals Arsenal beat Newcastle 4-1 which saw the gap between the two teams close down to just one point. Just three points separates Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City with that margin likely to change soon as the latter head to Anfield for a huge clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side at the beginning of March.
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