PEP: THIS IS NOT SPORT
GUARANTEED SUCCESS CAN NEVER WIN OVER GUARDIOLA
PEP GUARDIOLA questioned the sporting merits of a European Super League without promotion or relegation, just hours before Manchester City pulled out of the proposed competition.
The City boss had become the first figure from the club to speak publicly since it was announced they were one of six rebels from the Premier League who had been intending join a breakaway rival competition to the Champions League.
Guardiola admitted he was uncomfortable doing so having been given little more detail than was published in the bombshell statement on Sunday night.
The Spaniard therefore said he would hold back on giving his full opinion but he made clear the concept of a competition in which certain clubs were guaranteed permanent entry did not appeal.
‘If you ask me, (why) these teams have been selected, I don’t know the reason why,’ said Guardiola, ahead of tonight’s Premier League game at Aston Villa.
‘It is not a sport where the relation between the effort and the success, or the effort and the reward, does not exist. It is not a sport where success is already guaranteed, it is not a sport when it doesn’t matter where you lose.
‘I want the best competition, the strongest competition possible, especially the Premier League. It is not fair when one team fights, fights, fights, arrives at the top and cannot be qualified because the success is already guaranteed for a few teams.’
Guardiola added: ‘A few hours before the statement was released they told me they were going to release a statement.
‘But honestly we (managers) are not the right people to answer these questions because there are presidents or vice-presidents that can talk more clear (about) exactly what is the idea for the future and where football wants to go.
‘I support my club, I know the people and I am part of the club but also I have my own opinion.’
The clubs involved have been accused of greed and self-interest but Guardiola did point out, however, they are not the only ones in the game that could have that charge levelled at them.
He said: ‘ Every club defends his own position. Don’t be cynical and say (they do it) for the other ones. Everyone makes his own interest.’
City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also made his position clear before the club’s withdrawal. He posted a statement on Twitter: ‘ This man comes out a little town out of Belgium dreaming of playing at the highest stage possible. I’ve represented the Belgium, German and English league. And also proudly represented my country.
‘I have worked and competed against everybody trying to win the ultimate. But the most important word in this is COMPETING.
‘We know this is a big business and I know I am part of this business. But still I am a little boy who just loves to play football. Let’s keep inspiring the next generation of footballers and keep the fans dreaming.’
It is not a sport where the relation between effort and success does not exist