STICK & STONES
Players have to take criticism on the chin
PEP GUARDIOLA has told his Manchester City stars to accept criticism — or find another job.
Guardiola is less than impressed with the flak aimed in the direction of Erling Haaland in the wake of City’s goalless draw at home to Arsenal last weekend.
Roy Keane labelled Haaland a “League Two player”, despite the fact he’s scored 81 goals since joining the champions in the summer of 2022.
Guardiola admits he’s surprised some pundits who played at the highest level would hammer current stars like Haaland.
But the Spaniard knows it’s all part of the game, and that his players just have to take it all on the chin.
“I am surprised it’s come from former players,” said Guardiola. “From journalists I can understand it, because they have never been on the pitch, but the former players, always I am surprised.
“It’s like the referees when they retire, they always criticise the referees.
Difficult
“How difficult is that business for the players. That always surprises me. The memory disappears quick.
“Because the problems that the players have (now), they (the pundits) also had. They were hurt when they were criticised by the former players. But today it is what it is.
“We have to accept it and move forward. They have to do it. It’s their job, so accept it.
“If you can’t accept it as a footballer, you have to dedicate to another job, like read books. When you are in the public so much, you have to accept it.”
So would Guardiola be willing to become a pundit in the future, after he’s retired from management?
“It depends on the offer,” he said. “If I have your salary, yeah!
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I am not a guy who is going to criticise my colleagues when I retire.
“I wouldn’t go in there saying it, ‘Should be
this, should be that’. I could be doing it now. But I don’t do it. It’s easy to criticise, but everyone has to live for something.”
Haaland has drawn a blank in his last three games — and scored just once against the top five this season.
Worries
But Guardiola has no worries about the Norwegian hitman whatsoever.
“It’s football. It happens,” he said. “Some actions he missed, sometimes it was down to a lack of supply, sometimes a decision of the manager.
“Sometimes the opponent is really good, sometimes for many reasons. In football it’s not just one reason. There are many.
“Sometimes when you have, or don’t have success, it’s for many reasons. It’s a team sport, not individual like golf, tennis or the other ones.”
Guardiola is not surprised Aston Villa are competing for a top four finish this season.
Unai Emery’s side face the Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium tonight and are looking to secure their first league double over City for 61 years.
Villa’s 1-0 win in the reverse fixture back in December flattered City, who were outplayed at Villa Park.
Excellent
“(It’s) excellent, the way they play. Unai Emery has consistency every season,” said Guardiola. “They’ve been impressive. It’s no surprise, the quality of him, his management and the team.
“I haven’t watched all their games but I think they’ll play with the same system and ideas. They’re good on set-pieces and in transition, with two quick players up front.
“They have a strong backline and an exceptional goalkeeper. That’s why they are where they are.
“Aston Villa are playing to qualify for the Champions League, every team plays for something, so the last few games will be difficult to manage.
“Our experience (of strong finishes) is over, it doesn’t count. What counts is Aston Villa.
“Being able to win lots of games in a row before, I don’t know how many (we can win) now. The only thing to think of is how to beat Aston Villa.”
Speaking of former City midfielder Douglas Luiz, Guardiola said: “Because of a (lack of) work permit, it was not possible (for him) to be with us.
“He had to make steps so he went (on loan) to Girona and now he’s settled perfectly at Villa, so I’m happy for him.”