Guardiola suggested Evra is after a job at Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola has fired back at Patrice Evra after he claimed the Manchester City boss intentionally builds teams of players without personality and leadership qualities.
The former Manchester United fullback made the comments in the wake of City’s dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
City had a two-goal lead as their semi-final second leg in Madrid entered stoppage time, only to be pegged back by two Rodrygo goals. In extra-time, Karim Benzema’s penalty settled the tie, ensuring Real, not City, would face Liverpool in Paris later this month.
Evra on Guardiola and Man City.
Speaking to Prime Video, Evra appeared to blame their collapse on a lack of leadership within the team. Guardiola, he claimed, preferred his teams to be without leaders as he was unable to train players with personality.
“Manchester City needs leaders, but Guardiola doesn’t want leaders,” he said. “He doesn’t want personality. He’s the leader. That’s why when they’re in trouble they don’t want to… 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 at Barcelona, but he builds his team to control everyone. When things go wrong, he always decides.”
Not stopping there, Evra also delivered a scathing assessment of City’s philosophy, comparing them to Paris Saint-Germain.
“City have made a mistake, it’s the truth. They are traumatised. 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.”
Guardiola responds to Evra.
Asked about Evra’s comments, Guardiola defended his players, suggesting the former France international’s words might have been fuelled by a desire to get a job back at Old Trafford.
“I don’t want personality?” he asked. “I don’t agree, Patrice. I don’t play. I need personalities and good players to play on the pitch.
“I didn’t read it or know (what Evra said). I have had nice, incredible players in my past as a manager at Barcelona, at 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 he’s 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 work together I would show you the personality and character of my players right now that we have, absolutely.”
"Maybe [Patrice] Evra is doing a good quote to come back to Manchester United to work there…" 👀
Pep Guardiola hits back at Patrice's Evra's claims that he doesn’t want players with personality or leadership qualities 😠#MCFC pic.twitter.com/LMGQDGyirw
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) May 11, 2022
Related links:
- Jamie Carragher says Man City aren’t a big club until they win Champions League.
- Pep Guardiola bizarrely claims ‘everyone in this country’ supports Liverpool.
- Rio Ferdinand apologises to Jose Mourinho after 2019 quote proved right.
