Manchester City’s rough patch continues, and now, one of football’s most respected voices has joined the conversation.
Legendary manager Fabio Capello didn’t hold back when discussing Pep Guardiola after City’s 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The match saw second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie, leaving the Premier League champions with only one win in their last 10 games.
This latest defeat also pushed City to a mere one point from three Champions League matches. In the Premier League, they trail Liverpool by eight points despite playing an extra game.
As pressure mounts, Capello’s words have added fuel to the fire surrounding Guardiola’s leadership style.
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What Fabio Capello said about Pep Guardiola?
Capello, speaking as a pundit for Sky Sport Italia, delivered a scathing assessment of Guardiola’s approach. He accused the Spanish manager of prioritizing personal recognition over team success.
“Guardiola is a great coach, but he is far too arrogant and presumptuous,” Capello stated. He went on to accuse Guardiola of sidelining key players in important matches to claim the spotlight for himself.
“At times, he has even lost trophies because he wanted to prove that he was the one winning and not the players,” Capello added.
His words seemed to reference Guardiola’s surprising decisions during critical games, including the 2021 Champions League final loss to Chelsea.
In that match, Guardiola left Fernandinho and Rodri out of the starting lineup, a move that many believed disrupted City’s balance.
Chelsea exploited the weakened midfield and took home the title, leaving Guardiola’s tactics under intense scrutiny.
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The weight of Capello’s criticism
Fabio Capello is no stranger to success, having led AC Milan to three consecutive Serie A titles and a dominant 4-0 victory in the 1994 Champions League final.
His focus on building solid foundations before showcasing attacking flair stands in stark contrast to Guardiola’s riskier, often experimental strategies.
Capello’s comments carry weight, given his reputation for discipline and success. His critique suggests that Guardiola’s desire to innovate might be backfiring, especially during this rough spell for City.
As the team braces for a high-stakes derby against Manchester United this weekend, the spotlight remains firmly on Guardiola. Will he stick to his ways, or will the pressure force a change?
