Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has launched a fierce and unexpected critique of two iconic figures in English football, dismissing recent comments about his team as “nonsense.”
The Catalan coach did not hold back when addressing remarks made by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Both pundits had suggested that the current City squad, despite its dominance, might not be remembered as a truly “great” team in the same vein as historic sides.
“It’s nonsense,” Guardiola stated firmly in his pre-match press conference. “They have to explain what defines a great team. If not, it’s just words.” He expressed clear frustration, pointing to his team’s sustained success. “We have won six Premier Leagues in seven years. How many great teams are there in England who have done that? Maybe one, two, three, or four? That’s all.”
Guardiola specifically referenced the achievements of his players, who are chasing a second consecutive continental treble this season. “These players have won everything. They are already in the history books. To say this is not a great team… I don’t understand it.”
The debate was ignited after City’s dramatic UEFA Champions League quarter-final exit to Real Madrid on penalties in April 2024. Following that result, Rooney and Gerrard questioned whether this City generation would leave a lasting legacy comparable to the greatest club sides.
Guardiola, however, turned the focus onto the critics’ own careers. “Maybe they have an opinion, but they have to define what a great team is. Did they ever win four Premier Leagues in a row? I don’t think so.” This pointed remark highlights City’s unprecedented domestic achievement, a feat never before accomplished in the history of English football.
The manager concluded by reaffirming his pride in his squad’s relentless consistency. “We are judged by what we win, and these players have won an incredible amount. To be here for many years and compete for all trophies, that is the definition of a great team for me.” With the 2024/25 season underway and eyes on the 2026 World Cup cycle, Guardiola’s defiant message is clear: his team’s place in history is already secure.
