Pep Guardiola: Manchester City boss hits back at Fabio Capello’s ‘arrogant’ jibe
After a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend, Capello was interviewed by Spanish newspaper El Mundo, who, despite praising Guardiola’s tactics, said the city manager was “arrogant” and “doed a huge damage to Italian football” as the coach tried to emphasize his tactics.
Guardiola was clearly aware of the comments because he acknowledged their way when he asked questions ahead of Saturday’s league game against Brighton.
He said, “I listen to everything people say to me, so be careful.”
“This is not the first time Mr. Fabio Capelo has said that. I’m not enough to ruin Italian football. A hug of Fabio.
The response continues a long-standing Guardiola policy, referring to individuals he has problems in “Mr,” including former player Joao Cancelo, agent Dimitri Seluk of former midfielder Yaya Toure and Manchester City Supporters Club Secretary General Kevin Parker, who have been involved in Spat.
The irony extends to the second answer as he evaluates the ability of a middle-class Premier League to win a championship in the future.
Guardiola added: “I don’t want to pretend to be myself and again named a large manager, one of Fabio Capello’s outstanding managers, looks arrogant, but we helped raise the bar in the Premier League.”
“The team has to go to the market, which can help people. People want to be kind, people are organized, have good structures, have good decisions, and have good players everywhere.
“I was here when I first went to Bournemouth, and it’s different now. When I started in Brighton, it’s different now. When I first went to Fulham, it’s different now.”
Bournemouth, Brighton and Fulham played in the championship game during Guardiola’s nine-year city tenure and are now challenging in the Champions League qualifying round this season.
He added: “I’m an old man, I’m the oldest manager here, nine years. So I know the evolution of the Premier League is huge.”
