GUARDIOLA People want City to disappear off face of the earth

PEP Guardiola couldn’t resist a cheeky comment in the direction of City’s Premier League rivals, joking that they want the Blues not just to be relegated from the top flight, but ‘disappear off the face of the earth’.

- JOE BRAY

Guardiola has been City’s spokesperson on their 115 charges by nature of his position as manager, where he faces the media up to six times a week.

On the eve of the club’s trial, which started on Monday, he sent a pointed remark to City’s rivals that most are keen to see them sanctioned before they have been given the chance to prove their innocence.

And while the club have simply got on with their daily business this week, Guardiola brought up the charges when defending his team, who have been made to work hard for their win over Brentford and draw with Inter Milan.

Asked if he ever sets City up to be pragmatic, Guardiola described his side as ‘the best team in the world being pragmatic’. His point – to be pragmatic doesn’t always mean to defend deep and play for a 0-0.