Pep Guardiola refuses to apologise amid backlash from Man City fans after comments that he made on the Etihad Stadium attendances.
The Blues, who began their 2021/22 Champions League campaign with a thrilling 6-3 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, are now preparing to face Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
However, the pre-match discussion has been around the attendance at their home game on Wednesday night, after Pep Guardiola became embroiled in a battle with a section of City supporters after his comments in midweek.
🗣”I will not apologise for one second what I said. I know my intentions. It is to be a part of something. I know who we are and I like the fans that we have.”
Pep Guardiola defends the comments he made on Manchester City’s fan attendance pic.twitter.com/BLhnrDFdFv
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 17, 2021
After the win against RB Leipzig, which was attended by 38,062 people, Pep Guardiola said: “I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday.”
“We will need the people next Saturday, please, because we will be tired. I invite all our people to come next Saturday, 3pm, and watch the game.”
He has since found himself in hot water with a number of the Manchester City fanbase, including Kevin Parker – Manchester City’s Official Supporters Club Representative.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday, Parker hit back at Pep Guardiola, as he said: “He’s absolutely the best coach in the world but, in the nicest possible way, I think maybe he should stick to that.”
Pep Guardiola has since refused to apologise for what he said on Wednesday night after the Champions League clash, and has suggested that his comments had been misinterpreted.
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Asked on Friday about his comments, Pep Guardiola said: “Did I say after the game that i was disappointed that the stadium was not full? An interpretation is an interpretation. I am not going to apologise for what I said.”
“It’s not the first time I said in my career, I said at Barcelona and Bayern, when we played a tough game like Leipzig was and play three games later I know how difficult it is, to ask for us all to it again on Saturday again.”
Pep continued his passionate defence by stating: “What I said was we need the support, it doesn’t matter how many people come but I invite them to come and enjoy the game cause we need the support.”
“I am entirely grateful for the support that we had against Leipzig, away at home. I always say if guys want to come we will be incredible grateful because I know how difficult the game will be and I know we need our people. I never sit here and ask why people don’t come? If you don’t come then don’t. I will not apologise to him [Kevin Parker].”
“Our supporter base is different – we’re more hardcore.” 👀
The general secretary of the #MCFC Supporters’ Club has hit back at Pep Guardiola’s plea for more fans to turn up at the Etihad Stadium.pic.twitter.com/K7BAGGmvSK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 17, 2021
Twitter users reacted as Pep Guardiola refuses to apologise amid backlash from Man City fans…
@RaphaCertified: There’s trouble in paradise with Pep and City it seems, even though he is there most successful manager up to date his really upset about something.
@grigg_ollie: I don’t think he really likes the club, he enjoys the transfer funds and players he can buy but don’t think he has fallen in love with the club or has any connection to it
@nkujamangweni: 🤣🤣🤣 This is really sad.
@Andy_11_: Good, he tried getting a sell-out, and the fans turned on him, embarrassing fan base
@SLEEKSAKA7: Hahaha imagine their own fans send the club into decline this guy is the only reason the club isn’t falling once he leaves they are in big trouble
@WHU_Forever: Rich coming from an arsenal fan, who pushed wenger out and are now on a massive decline
@_JackLewis: Sounds like he’s looking for a way out
@utdrobbo: Can confirm all City fans hate Pep, he needs to move away.
@DaveSkimmin: So basically in the press Confrence he had a go for being misinterpreted and having his words twisted and you then go on to do exactly the same things straight after he finishes 🤦♂️ awful
@Ian_bill1: Well done city fans 😂 no fans and now you’ve pushed out the one person that can help you get some. Once a small club, always a small club.
@thor_hill: When city played Arsenal recently the club couldn’t sell match day tickets. They had to go on general release. Speaks volumes.
@CS22___: Nothing screams “hardcore fans” more than never attending games. “Manchester is Blue” they said…
@TotallyMUFC: That’s a lot of words to basically just say “yeah, we’re tin pot”. But hey you’ve got better owners, we’ve got more fans, swings and roundabouts.
@philipjamesd: They had to put tickets for their CL match against RB Leipzig on fucking Wowcher to get rid 😂 and still didn’t manage it.
@UtdWesleyy: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@steezybro: Don’t have as many tourists show up? What is he smoking? Just take the L when it comes to having a weak supporter base
SEE MORE: Pep Guardiola explains angry exchange with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez
Pep Guardiola at the Etihad after Manchester City slap Southampton 7-0 on Saturday…pic.twitter.com/i6uyh4aNQ9
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 17, 2021
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