PEP Guardiola is lucky not to have been SACKED by Manchester City and he will not win the Premier League or the Champions League any time soon, according to Dietmar Hamann.
The former Liverpool midfielder had a pop at the Reds’ title rivals after their unimpressive start to the season.
Didi Hamann spent seven years as the anchor of Liverpool’s defence Credit: Getty – Contributor
Guardiola has faced criticism over his Champions League record with both City and Bayern Munich Credit: Getty Images – Getty
City claimed only the League Cup last season as they crashed out in the Champions League quarter final stage and got nowhere close to Liverpool in the league.
And despite their phenomenal success since Guardiola’s arrival, Hamann has been left unconvinced they have what it takes to challenge again – and revealed his surprise the Spaniard is still in a job.
Hamann, 47, told Talksport: “If you look at their record in the Champions League, any other manager would’ve been in big bother.
“Obviously he’s got some Barcelona history in the boardroom and maybe that’s why he’s still there.
“He didn’t reach a final with Bayern Munich or Man City – and if you look at the teams who did, they don’t have the same funds.
“It’s simply not good enough. If you look at the teams who beat them, I just wonder what has to happen for them to make a change.
“We don’t like managers getting sacked, but I think any other manager would be in big bother.”
Hamann’s criticism’s come despite Guardiola leading City to consecutive Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, hauling in 100 and 98 points respectively.
City have not looked at their domineering best so far this seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
But his record in Europe has been found wanting, with Hamann convinced that longevity at the club won’t change their fortunes.
He added: “Historically, he was at Munich for three years and he improved the team, but the players were happy when he left because he was so demanding.
“I think a manager like Guardiola can’t be at a club for more than four or five years.
“He’s done that at Man City and if you see the players they bring in, there is no continuity and I don’t see them improving enough with the money they’ve spent.
“I think they’ve peaked under Guardiola, I don’t see them winning the Premier League or the Champions League in the next few years.”
Etihad chiefs invested heavily over the summer as the club looked to patch up their defensive shortcomings.
Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias were brought in to shore up a back four that often looked shaky last season.
But their new-look shield was blown apart by Jamie Vardy during Leicester’s eye-catching 5-2 win in September.
It was the standout result in what has otherwise been a sedate season for the Cityzens.
They’ve been held to draws by Leeds and West Ham while squeezing past Arsenal and Wolves on the opening day.
Their Champions League form is more encouraging with comfortable wins recorded over Porto and Marseille.
Pep Guardiola told by Richard Keys to bring in Sam Allardyce to sort out Man City defence after 1-1 draw vs Leeds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
