Pep Guardiola has hit back at Patrice Evra after the former Manchester United claimed players who move to City are only motivated by money.
Patrice Evra also criticized the Manchester City coach for being too controlling over his players and also going for players that lacks personality.
The former French international made these comments after Manchester City was eliminated by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League.
Evra said:‘Manchester City needs leaders, but Guardiola doesn’t want leaders.’’
‘He doesn’t want personality. He’s the leader. That’s why when they’re in trouble, they don’t have anyone on the pitch to help them.
‘He chooses his teams like that, he can’t train people with personality. He did it in Barcelona, but he builds his team to control everyone. When things go wrong, he always decides.
‘City has made a mistake, it’s the truth. They are traumatized.
‘They remind me of PSG — they are clubs based on money. Real Madrid also has money, but it has a story behind it. Manchester City only has money, and the players go to play there solely for that.
‘Then they win trophies, of course, but a player chooses to go to Manchester City only because it offers you more.’
Pep Guardiola has won all the trophies in England for Manchester City but the only trophy eluding the Spanish coach is the Champions League.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City Premier League with Wolves he said: I don’t want personality? Well. I don’t agree, Patrice!
‘I need personalities and good players to play on the pitch. I have had nice, incredible players in my past as a manager at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and here.
‘I could give a good list in terms of their personality and character. Most of them have won World Cups, European [Championships], Champions Leagues, and leagues.
‘Maybe Evra is right or maybe he’s doing a good quote to come back to Manchester United to work there. Maybe there’s a good chance now.
‘Good, Patrice — if we were together I would show you the personality and character of my players right now that we have, absolutely.’
Pep Guardiola has also aimed another dig at Manchester United and Liverpool.
When asked about whether there is some degree of perception attached to manchester City spending, Guardiola said: Listen, Liverpool in the 1970s or 80s, or United with Sir Alex Ferguson – who spent more money?
‘Who spent more money? It was Norwich? Norwich spent more money in that period?
‘Or what other teams… Leicester? Leicester spent more money than them? No. They spent more money than the other ones. But the money from them is completely different than now.’
Asked why that is, he replied: ‘I’ve said I’m not going to change that [perception].
‘When we put it here [on the front of our shirts] Etihad, people say, “Oh it’s overpaid”. But now United and Liverpool are going to get paid maybe more than us, maybe deserved because they are working well, because the CEO negotiated well, whatever happened.
‘They get more and because it’s from the United States of America or another country – or the owners are – so now it’s perfect.
‘So that’s why it’s not going to change, for a long time it’s not going to change, that is the reality. The only way we can change is doing well on the pitch.’
Do you think the English media are not being fair to Guardiola and Pep Guardiola?
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