Football
Pep Guardiola Responds to “Sacked In The Morning” Chants After Anfield Defeat
James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.
Get to know James Chittick betterPublished02 Dec 2024
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has responded to hearing chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as his side lost to Liverpool at Anfield.
With the hosts 2-0 up and City staring down the barrel of their fourth straight Premier League defeat, the chants began to echo around Anfield in the closing minutes.
But Guardiola – who has led City to six Premier League titles since his appointment – had a fitting response.
Holding up six fingers to represent City’s six titles, he smirked and gestured back to the home fans from the dugout.
Speaking after the game, Pep told Sky Sports: “I didn’t expect that at Anfield.
“I didn’t expect it from the people from Liverpool but it’s fine, it’s part of the game, and I understand completely.
“We’ve had incredible battles together. I have a respect for them.”
PEP GUARDIOLA. 😭🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/MtxEUEs3k4
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) December 1, 2024
Pep Guardiola Says Chants Might Be Right
The loss at Liverpool saw Manchester City drop to fifth in the league table. They are now below Liverpool, Brighton.
City haven’t lost four straight league games since August 2008, and are winless in seven across all competitions.
Guardiola, who is overseeing the worst run of his managerial career, signed a two-year contract extension last month.
He said: “All the stadiums want to sack me, it started at Brighton.”
“Maybe they are right with the results we’ve been having.”
As well as six Premier League titles, Pep has helped City to win a Champions League, two FA Cups, Four EFL Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
But he now faces perhaps his toughest ever test as a manager.
Are Liverpool Now Out Of Sight For Manchester City?
With Liverpool now nine points clear of second placed Arsenal and 11 ahead of City, many believe the title race to be over already.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I don’t see there’s any way back for Manchester City now.
“Sometimes you need to lose so people realise what you’ve done – but this season Manchester City will not win the Premier League.”
And ex-City star Micah Richards added: “I wouldn’t say it’s the end of an era.
“It’s a difficult time, but they’re going to find a way to get back. Some of the players have let Guardiola down today. They’re a shadow of their best.”
But despite the already massive gap, Guardiola has not yet conceded the title race to Liverpool.
With 25 games to go, there are still 75 points available, and Pep hasn’t given up.
He said: “Teams are good and we can’t handle it right now.
“I have to find a solution to be solid. What can I say?
“These players have given me the chance to live maybe the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try to find a solution.”