Ten Hag ‘wants’ Harry Kane & Declan Rice, Shaw could be OUT for the season
After City scraped past Wolves on penalties in the Carabao Cup in 2017, the Spanish boss went on the attack about the ball.
“It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition,” he blasted.
“It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I’m not making excuses.
“All of my players said: ‘What is that?’ I’m sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition. It’s [for] marketing, money, OK but it’s not acceptable – [it has] no weight, nothing.”
Guardiola thought the special Mitre ball used in the Carabao Cup in 2017 was too lightCredit: AFP
Jose Mourinho
The Special One was once left miffed when a floodlights operator and the fans were “asleep” during a Chelsea game against QPR at Loftus Road in 2014.
The Blues would labour to a 2-1 win, but Mourinho wasn’t happy with the lighting or the supporters.
“I think the man responsible for the lights was in the same mood as the crowd because everyone was sleeping,” he moaned.
“It took him 20 minutes to understand that it was dark, but it took me 30 minutes to understand that the stadium was not empty. When we scored was when I realised the stadium was full.”
Jose Mourinho is a stickler for lighting and noiseCredit: AP:Associated PressMourinho was left miffed by the floodlights operator and fans at Loftus RoadCredit: Rex
Sir Alex Ferguson
Back in 1996, Southampton took Manchester United to the cleaners in the first half of a Premier League game.
3-0 down at half-time, United came out for the second half wearing a completely different strip.
The reason? Because United’s stars couldn’t find a pass wearing a grey kit.
Fergie confirmed after the final whistle: “The players don’t like the grey strip. They find it difficult to pick each other out. We had to change the strip.”
Man Utd were all at sea in a grey shirt which they blamed for a defeatCredit: GettyUnited’s star changed their jerseys at half-time, with Sir Alex Ferguson complaining his stars couldn’t find a pass wearing greyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Alan Pardew
When Alan Pardew’s Newcastle side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2012, it was all the Notting Hill Carnival’s fault.
He revealed: “Today was a little bit unfair on us. We couldn’t move the game to Sunday because of the Notting Hill Carnival.”
Pards also once complained about the length of the grass in a preseason friendly against Rangers.
And he whinged about a quiet transfer market – saying the Olympics coverage was providing a distraction.
Alan Pardew has often found an excuse for defeatCredit: Getty – ContributorThe Notting Hill Carnival was once to blame for his Newcastle side losing a matchCredit: AFP or licensors
Mohamed Al Fayed
The former Fulham owner was besties with Michael Jackson.
He loved the King of Pop, who spent mega-money in Harrods, so much he bizarrely had a statue built in his honour at Craven Cottage.
However, when it came down the Cottagers were relegated.
Al Fayed complained: “This statue was a charm and we removed the luck from the club and now we have to pay the price”.
Ex-Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed blamed the removal of Michael Jackson’s statue at Craven Cottage for their relegationCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barry Fry
Always game for a laugh, we didn’t take Barry Fry to be the superstitious type or believing in gypsy curses, which had descended upon St Andrews.
But to end a losing streak at Birmingham City in 1994, the enigmatic manager decided on watering the grass on the pitch… with his urine.
“We went three months without winning … We were desperate, so I pissed in all four corners, holding it in while I waddled round the pitch,” he said.
“Did it work? Well, we started to win and I thought it had, then they f****** sacked me, so probably not.”
Barry Fry once took to peeing on the St Andrews pitch at Birmingham City to break a gypsy curseCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Vladislav Vashchuk
Spain had a brilliant side at the 2006 World Cup, and inflicted the Ukraine’s worst ever defeat in a 4-0 thrashing in the group stages.
But defender Vashchuk had the most amazing excuse for his country’s loss.
It was outside interference from the surrounding wildlife at their hotel keeping them awake the night before the game.
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“Because of the frogs’ croaking we hardly got a wink of sleep,” he said.
“We all agreed that we would take some sticks and go and hunt them,” he added bravely.
Vladislav Vashchuk of Ukraine hardly covered himself in glory during Ukraine’s 4-0 defeat to SpainCredit: GettyFrogs were blamed by Ukrainian stars for keeping their stars awake before the gameCredit: Alamy
