Manchester Evening News

CITY SPECIAL Manager’s thoughts with Bennell victims

- By JAMES ROBSON james.robson@men-news.co.uk @jamesrobso­nMEN james.robson@men-news.co.uk @jamesrobso­nMEN

PEP Guardiola delivered an impassione­d response after Barry Bennell was found guilty of 43 charges of sex offences.

The former coach, who was associated with City and Crewe was found guilty of abusing 11 boys aged eight to 15.

Guardiola has now called on football and society to learn from the ‘terrible’ acts.

The Catalan said: “It’s a personal issue – all the people in this room know it’s a terrible history.

“My feelings and thoughts are for the victims.

“Hopefully everyone can learn from that, society can learn from that because I’m a father. “When you see what has happened, it can happen with my sons and daughters, it’s a terrible situation.

“It’s good that situation appeared and the facts about that and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

“The authoritie­s and judges have to decide in a better way to try to make a good example for the future so it doesn’t happen again.” PEP Guardiola insists he needs his entire strike force if City are to pull off the quadruple.

But in the space of six weeks Sergio Aguero has demonstrat­ed why he remains the Etihad’s deadliest force.

Since Gabriel Jesus’ knee ligament damage on New Year’s Eve, the Argentine has struck an incredible 14 goals in 11 games.

He has found the back of the net in each of the four competitio­ns City continue to pursue – and scored two hat-tricks in the process.

Amid Guardiola’s attempts to sign Alexis Sanchez – who would have been a direct threat to his position – and Riyad Mahrez, Aguero has made himself virtually indispensa­ble.

And while doubts remain about whether City’s all-time leading scorer is the perfect fit in Guardiola’s ideal attack – his position has never looked stronger in the Catalan’s time in charge at the Etihad.

For a start, replacing him with a forward capable

 ??  ?? There have been rumours that Aguero is not the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola
There have been rumours that Aguero is not the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola
 ??  ?? Barry Bennell
Barry Bennell

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