It was a wonderfully awkward embrace
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed what he told Mark Noble as the pair shared a heartwarming embrace on Sunday.
Noble, who was making his final home appearance before retiring at the end of the season, struggled to hold back the tears as he said farewell to the Hammers after 549 games for the London club.
David Moyes’ side took a surprise 2-0 lead against City at the London Stadium, but Guardiola’s men levelled proceedings through Jack Grealish and an own goal from Vladimír Coufal.
The away side could’ve won the match late on, but Riyad Mahrez saw his penalty kicked saved in the 86th minute.
Me if I ever meet any of the Moldovan Eurovision lads pic.twitter.com/P7RDDNjsVO
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Pep embraces Mark Noble at the match
After the match, City boss Guardiola embraced and bowed to a tearful Noble, before giving him a hug and saying a few things in his ear.
“I admire the trajectory of these type of football players,” the Spaniard said, when asked about what he had said to Noble.
“All his career here, his home, West Ham. How many years, how many games… unfortunately it might be one of the last few cases we see in world football, a player stay a whole career [at one club].
“Hopefully he can stay in football because the knowledge he’s got will be incredible for English football, for the Premier League, for West Ham… on behalf of Man City, congratulations for his incredible, long career.”
West Ham legend
Noble made his debut for West Ham at the age of 17 in 2004, and has gone on to score 62 goals and register 60 assists for the club.
The 35-year-old was given a special reception by the West Ham supporters throughout the match on Sunday, which included a round of applause 16 minutes – a nod to his shirt number.
Fans also stayed behind after the full-time whistle to further pay their respects to the Hammers legend.
Related links:
- Mark Noble finally gets England call-up… for Soccer Aid
- Pep Guardiola sets Southampton difficult task ahead of Liverpool clash
- Pep Guardiola hits back at Patrice Evra for ‘no personality’ claim
