LONDON • Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is surprised by Chelsea's revolving-door policy with managers as he prepares for today's League Cup final, the match that could seal the fate of his counterpart Maurizio Sarri.
The Spaniard stated that he enjoyed City's backing in a way the Blues' former manager Antonio Conte never did, and suggested Sarri may encounter the same lack of support.
There has been mounting speculation over Sarri's future in recent weeks, after a mid-season slump best exemplified by the 6-0 humiliation in their league visit to City's Etihad Stadium earlier this month.
Guardiola believes Chelsea should adopt the same sort of long-term view City took when they employed him in 2016.
Comparisons have been drawn with his first season, when City struggled to adapt to his demanding style of play, although he was keen to dismiss the similarities.
"The situation is a little bit different. In my first year, never did the club doubt me. It was never in the media that I'd be sacked if they lose this game or the other game. It never happened," he said.
"I was surprised that when Conte won the title and they lost one or two games at the beginning of the following season, people started to say he was going to be sacked.
"I said: 'Wow, but two or three months ago they won the Premier League.' The situation is completely different."
Sarri is contesting his first final as a manager. City, however, remain favourites after overwhelming the Blues the last time out.
Guardiola, though, feels the 6-0 win counts for nothing as Chelsea will step up a gear in a Cup final.
He said: "I don't like to play a team again in a short period of time, when you've beaten them by so much. They are incredible professional players and they will put in extra (for the final)."
Sarri also cannot understand why his position is under threat.
The Guardian reported that the Blues are even considering hiring their former coach and current England assistant manager Steve Holland to help steady the ship on an interim basis.
Guardiola had a history of success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and was given time and funds to overhaul City, but Sarri is unlikely to receive the same leeway.
The Italian also pointed to the praise given to Arsenal boss Unai Emery in the Spaniard's first season in the Premier League.
"We are in the first final of the season. We are one point from the top four, the same points as Arsenal, and (people say) Arsenal are doing well," Sarri said. "We are doing a little bit better because we are in a final, and yet our season is a disaster. I don't understand.
"Last season, this team gained 70 points, not 100. Then, in the summer, we changed everything. So there is another problem to solve."
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not renowned for his patience, and the two transfer-window bans imposed by Fifa on the Blues could not have come at a worse possible time for Sarri.
Even a win today may only delay the inevitable.
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
CHELSEA V MAN CITY
Singtel TV CH111 & StarHub Ch202, tomorrow, 12.30am
Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China, spearheading the country's attempts to become a force at last. Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China | Sport24
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China
Shellshocked Madrid knocked out of Champions League by brilliant Ajax The humiliating defeat completed a miserable week for Real, who have monopolised the competition since 2016 and are now
Shell-shocked Real Madrid knocked out of UEFA Champions
VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday (Feb 24) as the European champions rode their
Bale penalty gives below-par Real win at Levante - Starr Sports
starrsportsgh.com/2019/02/bale-penalty-gives-below-par-real-win-at-levante/
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a controversial penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday as the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders Barcelona.
Bale penalty gives below-par Real win at Levante - Football
Headline Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired. Manchester United caretaker boss says he no longer has a deal with Molde. that he would return to Molde - but Solskjaer has
'I think the contract is expired' - United boss Solskjaer
Relatives raise funds to continue search for missing
Welcome Messages for Websites. Websites regularly witnesses many new users and people who register for their account online in these websites. As such, the websites send welcome messages to the users once they make their registration and their account get activated. "Welcome to the wonderful world of xyz.com.
Welcome Quotes - BrainyQuote
Returning Ozil has Arsenal future says Emery getty, Shaun Botterill Mesut Ozil will return to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's Premier League visit of Burnley, with manager Unai Emery saying he believes the midfielder has a future at the Emirates Stadium.
Premier League: Returning Mesut Ozil has Arsenal future says
Interviewed by Spanish TV channel La Sexta on Sunday, the pope praised his Argentine compatriot Messi, but said he must not be called God. Two 'He's great to watch, but he's not God': Pope sets
'He's great to watch, but he's not God' - Pope sets fans
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has brushed off Mo Salah's recent scoreless run and says he has no concerns about the 20-goal striker. The Egypt forward, who blasted 44 goals in all competitions in his debut season for the Reds last year, has not been quite as prolific this time around and he missed a
Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool's 'long dry spell
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham's 3-0 win at Cardiff gives his side more belief in the Premier League title race. Spurs moved back into second place and, to within six points of Premier
Mauricio Pochettino Admits Cardiff Win 'Makes Us Believe' as
22 1993, The Times, #64598, UK (en)_djvu.txt
Search the history of over 357 billion web pages on the Internet.
315381 10201276550382602 438502351 n - friendzone.fr
A friend online yesterday said I must be body weary but soul happy. I couldn't have said it better myself. After 9 miles and 4000 feet of elevation gain/loss in 6 hours, I was certainly body weary. But I had spent an amazing day among the pine and manzanita, above the clouds in the sunshine. … More Galleries of WEARY FEET…..HAPPY SOUL
Ghost Ship trial: A weary dad sits in court every day
Solskjaer warns Man Utd players over complacency and will look to keep that sequence going at Old Trafford on Saturday. "I want players to be confident but not be complacent and take their
Solskjaer warns Man Utd players over complacency | National
Pedro's crucial strike scrambled Chelsea a frenetic 1-1 Europa League semi-final first leg draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Spain forward's 12th strike of the season brought Blues parity in the
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea goals and highlights: Europa
0 comments:
Post a Comment