Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his word of warning to the entire football club, ahead of the return clash with Antonio Conte’s Tottenham.
The aftermath of that victory saw Pep Guardiola come out with plenty of stern words for his entire playing squad, City supporters, and the organisation as a whole, with the Catalan concerned over a sense of complacency creeping into the system.
Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Pep Guardiola has been asked for more clarification around his infamous ‘happy flowers’ comment and whether he has seen any reaction from his players in light of such words.
“It was just a feeling that I have, that after 11 titles in five years, or four Premier Leagues in five years, the fact that, ‘Okay we have time, we will see’. When you drop a little bit in this competition, this makes it more and more difficult,” Guardiola began.
“The first on the list to receive criticism is myself to see what I can do to make the team feel they are alive again, make every single ball and every action be really, really important. That was a message for all of us, the whole organisation, not just exclusively to the players.”
“It is easy to put blame on the players because they are the leading role in this movie. But it’s not just about them, it’s everyone, and they have to come back. It doesn’t change in one day, or in one press conference, the things you say changes everything. It’s a process to do daily, and try to be there.”
The City boss was further pressed on whether he felt his words after the 4-2 win made some players within his side realise that there are certain levels and standards that they need to maintain at Manchester City, after an exemplary run under Guardiola since 2017.
Stressing the importance of maintaining their exceptionally high standards, Guardiola also claimed that the reality of the situation is that they should have the Premier League title wrapped up in November – a light-hearted gesture towards those who poke fun at City’s domestic dominance.
“They don’t need my words to know it. They know where they are. The expectations of this club rise, increase a lot.”
Guardiola continued, “Our standards are simple; before the season, in November you should have won the Premier League. This is the reality. Accept that, and to handle this situation is difficult. The expectations are so high.”
“Before, when I arrived, they were not. You have to handle it and do it as much better as possible.”
Those standards outlined by Pep Guardiola will have to take on new levels across the remainder of his Manchester City contract, such is the Catalan manager’s obsession with finally winning the Etihad club their first Champions League title.
Europe’s premier club competition is the one competition that has evaded City and it’s players over the course of Abu Dhabi’s ownership of the club, with various factors leading to downfalls at different stages of the competition over the years.
While the focus will of course be on Tottenham this weekend, and closing the gap between themselves and Arsenal at the top of the table, a Champions League last-16 double-header against RB Leipzig is fast approaching.
source:cityxtra
