In the upcoming Premier League match, Manchester City will take on West Ham United. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with West Ham.
On Whether He Has Warned His Players Not to Underestimate West Ham and to Prepare for a Tough Game
You are about to face a West Ham side that has struggled this season, but have you warned your players not to take this lightly and to ensure they are ready for a difficult match?
Of course. We are ready. They lost their last game, but they drew at Old Trafford and away to Brighton.
We are well aware of how tough they can be. They only conceded late in the 80th minute against Aston Villa, a team that looks almost unstoppable right now. What’s more, West Ham have always had top-quality players. So I have great respect for them, but at the same time, we are fully prepared.
On Whether Past Good Results Against West Ham Make Preparation Difficult
In 20 matches against them, you have only lost once, which was on penalties in the Carabao Cup. Knowing you have a good head-to-head record against this team, does that make preparation more difficult?
What’s done is done. Our past performances, whether good or bad, are in the past. So tomorrow, we have to start all over again.
On Whether He Is Enjoying His Job More as the Team Has Emerged from Last Season’s Struggles
You are currently second in the Premier League, progressing well in the Champions League, and have reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals. It seems the players have put last season’s struggles behind them, and you yourself look to be enjoying the job more than ever. Is that how you feel?
Yes, but we can do better. I think we have achieved something, but there are still many areas that need improvement. So our current performance level is not yet where it should be, but the team’s mentality and commitment have been excellent, and that’s what has got us to where we are now.
On Whether the Great Team Atmosphere During the Club World Cup Still Exists
You mentioned earlier that the team atmosphere was great during the Club World Cup. Is that atmosphere still present?
I said a few months ago that even when results were not good, many things were positive. But in terms of our style of play and other aspects, we have not yet reached the level required to compete for trophies. However, there is room for improvement, and that is a good thing.
On the Injury Update and Whether Any Absent Players Can Return Tomorrow
I would like to ask about the injury situation. Are any of the recently absent players available to return tomorrow?
No. No one.
On the Possible Return Timelines for Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Rodri and Oscar Bobb
You previously said Jeremy Doku might be out for a few more weeks, but what about John Stones, Rodri and Oscar Bobb? Do you have a rough timeline for their return?
Let’s focus on tomorrow’s game first. After that, we have five days until the matches against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Some of them might start to return after that, but not for tomorrow’s game.
On His Impression of Rico Lewis’s Performance Since Joining the Club
We know that new signings may take a long time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. With that in mind, what has been your impression of Rico Lewis’s performances since he joined the club?
Very good, especially considering his age and personality. He plays with the freedom of someone playing street football. But I will push him to improve.
I won’t give him too much praise. I am really satisfied, as are all of us, because his impact in the final third, along with his goals and assists in every game, has been impressive. And we must not forget that he is still very young, with the right mentality to keep getting better, but there are still some areas where he needs to improve.
On Nico González’s Growth After Starting 12 Consecutive Games
Can I also ask about Nico (González)? I remember he has started 12 consecutive games. He has been at the club for almost a year—has his progress since arriving met your expectations?
We would not be in this position without him, nor without Kovacic and Rodri, especially Rodri. We don’t have a suitable replacement for that position, so for a young player, he has recovered well and has been a huge help.
But like Rico, I would say everyone in the team has room for improvement, especially when it comes to ball retention, which is something we are working on in training.
On His Future at Man City: Whether He Will See Out His Contract or Leave in the Summer
I think you have the right to decide when your tenure at Man City ends. You still have 18 months left on your contract, and I wonder if you have considered whether you will see out the contract or possibly leave in the summer? What is your current thinking?
Over the past three or four years, someone has asked me this question at some point every season. So sooner or later, I don’t know, but maybe when I’m 75 or 76 years old, I’ll leave Man City. I understand that people ask this when a contract is coming to an end, but as you said, I still have 18 months left.
I am happy, content, and excited about the team’s development—that’s all I can say. You know that every season, someone asks this question at some point, and it’s fine with me. As I said before, the bond between the club and me is very strong, and when it comes to decisions, what will be will be.
On the Factors He Considers When Discussing His Future and Whether It Will Negatively Impact the Team
When discussing this issue, what factors do you consider? Obviously, some managers say that announcing they will leave in the summer when their contract ends can have a negative impact on team performance and players. You have a deep connection and affection for this club—do you need to take all these things into account when making a decision?
The thing is, there is no discussion about this at all right now. But there will be one day. I won’t be here forever. I said in my second or third season that none of us stay in this world forever. So what will be will be.
Of course, the club has to be prepared for everything—for the players, for the coaching staff. The only people who will always be here are the owners, unless they decide to sell the club, which I don’t think will happen. As for everything else, the club has to be prepared, but this topic is not up for discussion at all right now.
On Whether He Plans to Stay for the Start of Next Season
Man City fans will want me to ask if you plan to stay for the start of next season. Do you have that plan?
I have already answered this question. I am here right now. So yes, I am here. What will happen in the future? Who knows? Whether I have a 10-year contract or just 6 months left, it’s the same—because football changes so quickly.
Right now, I am only focused on the days ahead, and spending time with my father. That’s it. Then I’ll come back to prepare for the matches against Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Chelsea, Brighton, and all the other games we have coming up.
On Savinho’s Defensive Running: Is It a Mentality Issue or Part of His Natural Game?
Let’s talk about Savinho. You mentioned his defensive running earlier. Is this a mentality issue, or is it part of his natural playing style?
When we manage these talented players, talent is not the hardest part. The problem is not the amount of running, but the positioning: whether to be 5 meters away from the opponent or half a meter; whether to want to touch the ball or stay two meters away from the opponent.
Many players in our team have this issue, not just Savinho. They still need to improve in this area, so we will keep pushing them. This is something that can be improved.
But Savinho’s one-on-one ability and speed are gifts that cannot be taught or improved—they are innate. For the other aspects, it’s just a matter of making them remember: we have to do this because it means we run less and play better. That’s what we emphasize over and over again every day.
The old mindset was: if I track back, I won’t have the energy to push forward in attack.
Then go to bed early, get more massages, eat well, and stay hydrated. If you can’t push forward first, that’s okay—track back first, then worry about going forward later. Watch less Netflix and go to bed early.
