Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced plans to make his half-time team talks shorter after the club was fined £2.09 million for repeatedly being late to start matches and return from half-time.
The club admitted to breaching Premier League rules 22 times “without good reason” and was fined £2.09 million.
When asked about the fine, Guardiola responded, “I just read it in the news. I would try to do my speeches at half-time shorter.” He made this statement before Saturday’s pre-season match against Chelsea in Columbus, USA.
With many senior players unavailable following Euro 2024 and the Copa America, Guardiola has allocated significant playing time to Norway striker Erling Haaland, whose national team did not qualify for the summer tournament. Previously concerned about Haaland’s “muscle niggles,” Guardiola said, “He woke up and feels much better. And hopefully, he can play a few minutes.”
Guardiola declined to comment on rumours that Atletico Madrid is in talks for striker Julian Alvarez, who is currently competing in the Olympics in Paris with Argentina.
However, Guardiola had praise for his counterpart Enzo Maresca, formerly a member of his staff and now managing Chelsea. “I’m really pleased for him,” Guardiola said. “We spent a special year together. He is an incredible, lovely person. And his family too. He did a really good job – unbelievable – at Leicester: promotion to the Premier League, and now he is in one of the top five, six teams in England. And I wish him the best because he deserves it. Nice people deserve the best.”
Guardiola emphasized Maresca’s dedication and belief in his methods, stating, “To be a manager is believing something deeply but, really, deeply, deeply. And whatever the results, I stick with my idea.
And that’s why he believes in what he does. And he will have success. I don’t know how long, but he will have it.”
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
