Pep Guardiola was taken aback by the chants aimed at him from the Liverpool fans during Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield. As Liverpool edged closer to a victory that would extend their lead over City to 11 points, the “sacked in the morning” chants echoed in the 89th minute. Guardiola, who has overseen six Premier League titles since taking charge of City in 2016, responded by smiling and gesturing with one hand, signalling the number of titles City have won under his leadership.
“I didn’t expect that at Anfield,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the match. “I understand completely; it’s part of the game.” The City boss also expressed respect for Liverpool, acknowledging the fierce competition between the two clubs in recent years. City, who are currently fifth in the league, have suffered four consecutive league losses, marking their longest run without a win since August 2008.
Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension last month, has overseen a period of unprecedented success at City, winning the Premier League six times, along with the Champions League, FA Cups, and other major trophies. Reflecting on the negative chants, he noted, “All the stadiums want to sack me; it started at Brighton,” referencing earlier criticism from fans. Despite recent struggles, Guardiola maintained that City would continue to fight for success.
Some pundits have questioned City’s title hopes, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggesting that City’s chances of winning the Premier League this season are slim. However, former City defender Micah Richards disagreed, stating that while City is going through a tough time, it does not signal the end of an era. “They’re a shadow of their best,” Richards added, indicating that some players have let Guardiola down.
Guardiola remains resolute in his determination to turn things around, acknowledging the team’s current struggles but refusing to give up on the season. “We can’t handle it right now,” he admitted, but with 25 games still to play, he remains hopeful. Guardiola’s comments also hinted at potential changes, stating that the club would make decisions about what is needed to restore City to their best.
