THEY SAID IT...

“Oh, it was just normal. Chatting to the coach. Did you see Kevin De Bruyne tell Pep Guardiola to shut up? It’s normal. I want my players to react when we lose. I want them to react. And if they react to me, then I take all that on my shoulders. Because tomorrow I will fix whatever the reaction is. That is football. I don’t want them to be mice. They have to be people who come and question me. I have to question them.” Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson’s take on an argument with reserve goalkeeper Brandon Pietersen after the Soweto derby.

“There’s too much difference with our performance last Wednesday and that cannot happen. That’s the plan for the future. That’s where we have to put the emphasis because the guys showed that on the day they are capable to face every possible challenge. Now the key is to do it week in and week out.”

Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro contrasts his side’s display in the 1-1 draw with Cape Town Spurs with their win in the Soweto derby.

“It was 100% a penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100% a foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card. All the people with iPads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious. It is, of course, a penalty but we didn’t get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. I saw so many sensational performances today.”

Manager Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool were denied a late penalty in the key league clash against Manchester City.

“Look, it’s the 16th time I’ve retired now. I would say yes, but who knows. When you get to my age you don’t know what’s around the corner, you just hope that you keep living.”

Neil Warnock (75) on being asked whether his 33-day reign at Aberdeen as interim manager would be his last managerial post. He resigned last weekend after guiding Aberdeen into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

“The first time I saw Leo Messi play, I only needed five minutes to say: he’s a mouse. Lamine Yamal also plays like a mouse. He looks like that too. If it continues like this, he will bring Barcelona a lot of happiness.” Real Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre with a rather unique compliment for the 16-yearold Barca wonderkid.*