Pep Guardiola insists he will not apologize for urging more supporters to attend Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday.
And as he doubled down over his remarks, arguing that they have been misinterpreted, the Spaniard remarkably declared: “If I’m a problem for my fans I will make a step aside.”
The City boss said in midweek that he would like a bigger crowd at this weekend’s encounter with Southampton than the 38,062 who attended Wednesday’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium.
Those comments have irritated some fans who feel the manager has questioned their loyalty.
The general secretary of City’s official supporters’ club, Kevin Parker, responded to the Catalan and called on Guardiola to be more considerate of circumstances, insisting the Spaniard “doesn’t understand the difficulties” supporters face.
“[What he said] did surprise me,” Parker said. “I’m not sure what that’s got to do with him. He doesn’t understand the difficulties that some people might have getting to a game at the Etihad on a Wednesday evening at 8pm.
“They’ve got kids to think of, they might not be able to afford it, [and] there are still some Covid issues about. I don’t see why he comments on it.”
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Guardiola responded and insists he feels that those irritated by his comments have misinterpreted what he initially stated.
He said: “Did I say after the game that I was disappointed that the stadium was not full?
“An interpretation is an interpretation. I am not going to apologise for what I said because I didn’t say it wrong.
“I’m surprised about what happened wit this man [Parker]. It’s not the first time I said in my career – I said it at Barcelona and Bayern and here.
When we played a tough game like Leipzig and play three games later with a lack of preparation [Against Southampton] I know how difficult it is, to ask for us all to do it again on Saturday again.