MX23RW : Tuesday, February 26 07:11:35
Feb 24, 2019 at 4.30pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium (London)
Attendance: 81,775
Chelsea
0-0
Man CityManchester City
FT
(aet)
Man City win 4-3 on penalties

Guardiola questions Chelsea's lack of stability

Guardiola questions Chelsea's lack of stability
© Reuters
The London club have changed managers 12 times under Roman Abramovich's stewardship and pressure is mounting on Maurizio Sarri.

Pep Guardiola has questioned the merits of Chelsea' short-term approach to managerial appointments.

The Manchester City boss is surprised by the levels of speculation over Maurizio Sarri's future at Stamford Bridge.

Guardiola believes he benefited from the faith shown in him during a testing first season at the Etihad Stadium and has suggested Chelsea should follow a similar approach.

He said: "The situation is a little bit different. In my first year, the club never doubted me. It was never in the media that I'd be sacked if they lose this game or the other game. It never happened.

"Sometimes the situation is difficult and it needs time. The first season with Maurizio is the same. You need time but the people supported me here.

"The players knew who was the manager and everybody is in the right situation. After that you can win or lose but it is stable. That is the best way to build something for a long time, not just a short period."

Guardiola responded to finishing third in the Premier League in a disappointing first campaign at City by winning the title by a record margin and claiming the Carabao Cup last year.

Sarri got off to a promising start this season, his first at Chelsea, but with the campaign unravelling in recent weeks the Italian is now under heavy pressure.

It is a familiar story, with Chelsea having changed managers 12 times since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

Guardiola said: "I was surprised that when (Antonio) Conte won the title and they lost one or two games at the beginning of the (next) season, people started to say he was going to be sacked.

"I said, 'Wow, but two or three months ago they won the Premier League'.

"But my opinion of Sarri and his teams is always high. When we reviewed the game against us, maybe people don't believe me but they did incredible things."

City face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, just a fortnight after thrashing the Londoners 6-0 at the Etihad Stadium – one of the games which intensified speculation over Sarri's position.

Guardiola insists that result matters little now and is even wary of a Chelsea backlash.

He said: "In that moment I was so happy to beat them 6-0 but in this moment I have would preferred not to have beaten them 6-0.

"I don't like to play in a short period of time when you've beaten the team once before. They are incredible professional players, they are proud, they will do extra. When we lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge we could not accept defeat at home.

"But it is what it is. We are going to prepare mentally as well as possible, play the final, play the type of game you need to play in a final and try to win."

While City are at Wembley, their chief title rivals Liverpool will be playing Manchester United in a crucial Premier League game at Old Trafford.

Guardiola said: "I think for that game we will be in the stadium, preparing, changing socks, pants, T-shirts, warming up, underwear. We will be getting ready to play the game. We won't have time to look at that game."


Maurizio Sarri future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates his first goal against Chelsea on February 10, 2019
Read Next:
How Man City could line up against Chelsea
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool27206159154466
2Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs27200755272860
4Arsenal27165655371853
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd27157552351752
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Watford2711793935440
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2711793534140
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham27106113540-536
10Bournemouth27104133848-1034
11Everton2796123639-333
12Leicester CityLeicester2795133238-632
13Crystal Palace2786133135-430
14Burnley2786133148-1730
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2777132434-1028
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
17Cardiff CityCardiff2774162552-2725
18Southampton2759132846-1824
19Fulham2745182661-3517
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2725201450-3611

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account