Pep Guardiola responded with a laugh to the fine that Manchester City received from the Premier League. The Citizens have to pay nearly 2.5 million euros for frequently coming out of the dressing room late.
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Premier League officials have found that Manchester City, under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, started the first or second half late on 22 separate occasions last season due to the team returning to the field later than scheduled.
This pattern of tardiness has now led to the club being slapped with a substantial fine, reportedly close to 2.5 million euros. The league's stringent regulations regarding match timing are designed to ensure the smooth running of games, and repeated delays, especially from a high-profile team like Manchester City, were bound to attract scrutiny.
In response to the fine, Manchester City issued a formal apology, acknowledging the breaches and committing to preventing similar occurrences in the future. The club's management has reportedly reminded both players and staff of the importance of adhering to match schedules, emphasizing their responsibility in upholding the league's standards. Despite this, the reaction from within the club, particularly from Guardiola, suggests that the issue is not being taken too seriously, at least publicly.
During a press conference in the United States, where Manchester City is currently on their pre-season tour, Guardiola addressed the fine with a laid-back attitude. "I just read the news myself," he said, downplaying the situation. With his characteristic humor, he added, "Well, I'll just try to talk less during halftime," hinting that the delays might be partly due to his extended team talks. This light-hearted response reflects Guardiola's confidence and possibly a belief that such fines, while notable, are just part of the broader pressures of managing a top football club.
This pre-season period is crucial for Manchester City as they gear up for another challenging campaign. On Saturday, they are set to face Chelsea in a high-profile friendly match, with the kickoff scheduled for 11:30 PM. This game is particularly significant as it serves as an important preparation fixture ahead of their season opener against Manchester United in the English Super Cup, a match that will officially kick off City's competitive season.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City's prolific striker, is expected to feature in the friendly against Chelsea, albeit cautiously. Haaland had to be substituted during a recent friendly against Barcelona due to some physical discomfort, leading to concerns about his fitness. Guardiola has indicated that Haaland might be able to play some minutes against Chelsea, suggesting that the club is managing his recovery carefully to ensure he is fit for the more critical matches ahead.
The match against Chelsea also brings an interesting subplot with it. Enzo Maresca, the new manager of Chelsea, will be on the opposite bench from Guardiola. Maresca previously worked as an assistant coach under Guardiola at Manchester City during the 2022/23 season. His departure to take up the managerial role at Leicester City and now Chelsea marks a significant step in his coaching career. Guardiola has spoken highly of Maresca, expressing his admiration for the Italian's coaching abilities and philosophy.
"He did a great job at Leicester City, and I wish him all the best," Guardiola said, reflecting on their time working together. "Good people deserve the best. As a manager, he’s already been successful because he possesses the most important quality believing fully in your own ideas. No matter the results, he sticks to the plan. That’s what he does. He’s going to be successful."
This upcoming match between City and Chelsea will not only test the teams' pre-season preparations but will also offer a glimpse into the tactical battle between Guardiola and his former assistant. For Maresca, it's an opportunity to prove his mettle against one of the most successful managers in modern football, while for Guardiola, it's a chance to fine-tune his team against a familiar face as City looks ahead to what they hope will be another trophy-laden season.
Updated: 12:18, 3 Aug 2024
