BAD FRIDAY IN 13TH
Pep’s shocker as he calls rival boss Bill Wilder
PEP GUARDIOLA will hope his nightmares are behind him as he heads to Sheffield United on Halloween.
The Manchester City boss has seen his side win just two of their opening five league games this season to find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
City are in 13th place – five points adrift of joint leaders Everton and Liverpool.
To make matters worse, Guardiola is battling a crippling injury list and has been forced to play down speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona as he stalls over signing a new deal at the Etihad.
He was so flustered yesterday he could not even remember the name of his Blades rival Chris Wilder – who he referred to as ‘ Bill’ in a spooky faux- pas.
In keeping with the Halloween theme, Guardiola hailed the remarkable “spirit” of a United team that took the top flight by storm last season.
But he can at least take some comfort from the fact no team has a better record on October 31 than City, who have won 10 of 13 games played on Halloween in the Premier League era.
Guardiola said: “Sheffield are one of the strongest teams in the Premier League and their position in the table ( second bottom) is another example of how strange our world is right now.
“Their football is incredible, much better than their points right now. I am a big, big fan of Bill Wilder and what he has done with his team.
“They make some movements I have never seen before and he is an incredible innovator.
“Sheffield away is one of the toughest games this season.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, says he has no intention of considering a shock return to Barcelona.
Barca presidential frontrunner Victor Font admits he wants him in charge at the Nou Camp again.
But the former Bayern Munich boss said: “I’m incredibly happy here and hopefully I can do a good job here this season and to stay longer.”