Pep Guardiola - The African Mirror

Mar

2024

Premier League talking points

TALKING points from the weekend's Premier League games: GUARDIOLA SHOWS RUTHLESS TOUCH AS DE BRUYNE HOOKED When Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne was substituted after 69 minutes of a rip-roaring contest at Anfield with the game locked at 1-1 and the top spot up for grabs there was widespread surprise, not least from the Belgian playmaker. De Bruyne, a key component of five Premier League title triumphs, was not impressed and made his feelings known to manager Pep Guardiola who sent on the more defensively-minded Mateo Kovacic. City hung on for the draw in the face of a Liverpool onslaught,…

Mar

2024

By LORI EWING

Mac Allister penalty earns 1-1 draw for Liverpool in Man City thriller

SPORT

ALEXIS Mac Allister fired home a second-half penalty as Liverpool claimed a point against Manchester City in a breathless 1-1 Premier League blockbuster at Anfield that left Arsenal top of the table. Liverpool is second, level on 64 points with the Gunners who lead on goal difference, with 10 games remaining of a thrilling three-way title race. Holders City, who is unbeaten in 21 games across all competitions, is third on 63. Arsenal climbed top with their 2-1 win against Brentford on Saturday. City looked poised to hand manager Pep Guardiola his second victory in nine trips to the cauldron…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Invest in Man Utd with Ratcliffe? I support Guardiola, says Wolff

FOOTBALL

MERCEDES Formula One boss Toto Wolff has suggested his support of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would make it hard to join team co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in buying into rivals Manchester United. Ineos's Manchester-born billionaire chairman Ratcliffe is poised to take a 25% stake in the Premier League side. Asked whether he might be tempted to join the Briton, Austrian Wolff -- also a co-owner of the Mercedes team -- distanced himself from any immediate involvement. "Here we go," he told Sky Sports television when the question was put to him. Wolff said Ratcliffe was "such a clever person" that he would…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

‘Arsenal are back’ and will be title contenders again, Man City’s Guardiola says

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL were Manchester City's biggest rivals last season and the London club will once again be contenders for the Premier League title, City boss Pep Guardiola said. Arsenal led the league for several months last season before City caught up on the home stretch and snatched the title away from them en route to a historic treble. But Mikel Arteta's side beat City to win the Community Shield and are one of two unbeaten teams in the league this season. Arsenal sit third in the table, a point behind leaders City ahead of Sunday's game at Emirates Stadium. "Arsenal was…

Jun

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

How Man City 2023 stack up against Guardiola’s 2009 Barcelona

FOOTBALL

PEP Guardiola became the first manager in Europe to win two trebles as Manchester City completed a dream season by beating Inter Milan 1-0 to secure their first Champions League title on Saturday. City completed the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup titles, matching Manchester United's feat in 1999 and drawing comparisons with Guardiola's 2008-09 Barcelona team. Here is how the 2022-23 City side stacks up against that Barca team. TEAM STRENGTHS Guardiola's 2008-09 Barca had a squad including some of the best Spanish players of their generation, defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, and midfielders Sergio…