Blues should back bosses blasts Pep
PEP GUARDIOLA is shocked by Chelsea’s lack of stability ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup final and surprised that Maurizio Sarri is facing the sack just seven months in.
He contrasted Sarri’s predicament with his situation during his barren first season at Manchester City. “In my first year the club never doubted me. It was never in the media that I’d be sacked if they lost this or another game,” he said.
“So I was surprised that when Antonio Conte won the title and they then lost one or two games at the beginning of the next season, people started saying he was going to be sacked.
“I thought, ‘But two or three months ago they won the title’. City trust me and I trust them. In the first season I said we needed time and they supported me.
“The players knew who the manager was. It was stable. That’s the best way to do something for a long time, not just a short period.”
Guardiola is still wary about facing Chelsea two weeks after thumping them 6-0 at the Etihad.
“I don’t like to play the same team almost immediately after you’ve beaten them by so much,” he admitted. “They’re incredible professional players. They’re proud and they will do extra against us. The situation is totally different.
“When we lost at their place and won here at home, my opinion of Sarri and his teams is always high.
“When we reviewed the game against us here, maybe people won’t believe me but they did incredible things.”
Guardiola will not watch the United-Liverpool clash. “We will be in the stadium changing, preparing, doing our warm-up, getting ready,” he said. “We won’t have time.”