In Manchester, England, Pep Guardiola has responded to comments made by Fabio Capello, who accused the Manchester City manager of arrogance and criticized his influential style, which Capello claims has “ruined” football in Italy. Capello, a former coach of renowned clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and the England national team, expressed this view in a recent interview.
Capello argued that Guardiola’s perceived arrogance has hindered him from achieving further success in the Champions League with Bayern Munich and City. He believes Guardiola’s desire to be the central figure in matches has not always yielded positive outcomes. Additionally, Capello stated that Guardiola’s tactical approach has negatively impacted Italian football, as teams attempt to emulate his style rather than adhering to their own traditional methods.
When questioned about Capello’s remarks, Guardiola acknowledged his former coach’s comments. “I am aware of everything said about me,” Guardiola said with a touch of humor. “It’s important to be cautious because I am watching.” Responding to Capello’s criticism, he mentioned, “Mr. Fabio Capello has made these remarks before. However, I am certainly not influential enough to ruin Italian football.” Guardiola further extended a friendly gesture, saying, “A big hug to Fabio. A big hug.”
Despite winning two Champions League titles with Barcelona and one with City over his nine seasons, Guardiola’s focus remains on the present challenges rather than past criticisms. Manchester City is grappling with a challenging season, marked by key player injuries such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, which have significantly affected their Premier League performance. With City currently sitting in fifth place, Guardiola acknowledges the current struggle to secure Champions League qualification.
He reframed this challenging season as another test, saying, “To achieve a place in the Champions League would be a tremendous success from my perspective.” Guardiola emphasized the ups and downs inherent in sports, noting, “There are seasons that come where you have to embrace those challenges.”
Reflecting on this season’s absence from the Champions League’s last-16 stages, Guardiola admitted disappointment but took it in stride. City did not advance due to a playoff loss against Real Madrid, after finishing 22nd in the restructured 36-team league phase. “It’s okay to find ourselves watching from the sidelines with a glass of wine,” he remarked, hopeful for a better outcome next season, aiming for qualification once more.