The Catalan says he cannot argue with those who say he only won the Champions League because he had the likes of Lionel Messi at his disposal
Pep Guardiola says he agrees with his critics who insist that his Champions League successes were only made possible by the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi at Barcelona.
Guardiola won the Champions League twice in three years while in charge at Camp Nou, but was unable to repeat the feat in three years at Bayern Munich, and is currently on his third attempt at winning it with Manchester City.
During a press conference held before City face Schalke in the last 16 on Wednesday, a reporter told the Catalan that he and his achievements are the centre of a "massive argument on Nigerian Twitter space".
It was put to the City boss that his online detractors argue that he "has not been able to win the Champions League since leaving Barcelona" as he "does not have players like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta."
Guardiola smiled and replied: "I completely agree with them. Completely agree with them. I would not argue for one second becuase when I was there I said many times that I had incredible players.
"I did as well with Munich and Manchester but in Barcelona I was a lucky guy, I'm sorry, I was lucky. I agree with them."
Guardiola guided Barca to the Champions League in 2009, his first season as a coach, and again in 2011, beating Manchester United on both occasions. The Catalan club have gone on to win it once more since he left, in 2015.
His Bayern side, who were reigning European champions when he took over from Jupp Heynckes, were only able to reach the semi-finals during Guardiola's time in Munich.
City were knocked out at the last 16 stage by Monaco in 2016 and lost in the quarter-finals to Liverpool last season.
Speaking earlier in the press conference, Guardiola addressed that defeat in Monaco in his first season, referring to City's elimination that year as a "big fail", which was almost certainly a sarcastic comment aimed at those who expected his side to have done better.
"Yeah but the first season was a big fail because we were not able to win the Champions League, it was the first season," he said, before insisting that his side are better equipped this time around. "We are together a lot of training sessions, a lot of games, a lot of meetings, we know each other better now.
"This competition is special, the teams are good, with the atmosphere in the stadiums you have to control the emotions, you have to suffer the bad moments, survive the bad moments and in the right moments make the difference.
"But we are confident. We arrive with many dreams in our heads to make a good game and to bring the game in a good position back to our stadium, where we are very strong, we feel confident there. We have to make a good game and of course to try to score goals, it's important to score minimum one goal."
ranceklmtu
0
Pep city all the way
kunsub
0
very true indeed
it's more like Barca made pep great. even Enrique won the treble with them π
tonialenJr
0
pep made barca great ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
very true indeed
tonialenJr
0
pep made barca great ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
there is nothing wrong with Ronaldo moving about perhaps he was given a free role
FaithEvans
0
I knew I was right when I said ure a losedawg...confused and angry... get a life son
who's angry at you? my emotions are better invested somewhere productive... f**kin boot-licker
FaithEvans
0
u did not remember Messi was a teenager when u said barca won CL with him in the team, but when asked about his contributions u now remembered... wedhone sir... if contributing goals and assists are not his field what then is?? #okpo ewu gambia
answer the question... u just dumb and unrelenting, which is worst kinda dumb! How many goals did Ronaldo scored at Euro 16, even Nani had more, still Ronaldo won his country the Euro they said... footy is more than stats at times, don't be this dumb, just look at ur age!
Hipbdkosz
0
how many goals and assists did Luka Modric have before being the best at the world cup and in the UCL?... if you're not the main goalscorer or creator, then those stats can't fully define ur role. I assume u should already know that
u did not remember Messi was a teenager when u said barca won CL with him in the team, but when asked about his contributions u now remembered... wedhone sir... if contributing goals and assists are not his field what then is?? #okpo ewu gambia
Hipbdkosz
0
you're also the one asking about goals and assists of a teenage Messi... Heeeeiii! if I ever want a brain transplant, I'd prefer yours... I want one that has never been used! bye
I knew I was right when I said ure a losedawg...confused and angry... get a life son
FaithEvans
0
am very sure u can't even remember the original title of this thread so it's better I let a loosedawg like u lie.. u ain't worth the explanation cause ur low IQ still won't comprehend.... sleep well
you're also the one asking about goals and assists of a teenage Messi... Heeeeiii! if I ever want a brain transplant, I'd prefer yours... I want one that has never been used! bye
Hipbdkosz
0
Your original post implies that... with ur recent response, I must say that I overly overrated your intelligence! if u not downplaying his impact, what are you doing?
am very sure u can't even remember the original title of this thread so it's better I let a loosedawg like u lie.. u ain't worth the explanation cause ur low IQ still won't comprehend.... sleep well
FaithEvans
0
how many goals or assist did he give in the build up to the final
how many goals and assists did Luka Modric have before being the best at the world cup and in the UCL?... if you're not the main goalscorer or creator, then those stats can't fully define ur role. I assume u should already know that
FaithEvans
0
you're already f***kd up since u can't comprehend, am not downplaying LM10 because I know his quality, but pep is a great coach and did well with the barca team. so get lost
Your original post implies that... with ur recent response, I must say that I overly overrated your intelligence! if u not downplaying his impact, what are you doing?
Hipbdkosz
0
he missed the final because of injury... use your brain (if u still have it)
how many goals or assist did he give in the build up to the final
Hipbdkosz
0
this is just their second year together, peasant! when it comes to Messi, anything other than the very best is failure, I understand ur stance... when he finally wins, you're welcome to go f**k yourself! [Spittongue]
you're already f***kd up since u can't comprehend, am not downplaying LM10 because I know his quality, but pep is a great coach and did well with the barca team. so get lost
FaithEvans
1
f**k off if u don't understand the thread...if Messi helped guardiola y isn't he helping valverde
this is just their second year together, peasant! when it comes to Messi, anything other than the very best is failure, I understand ur stance... when he finally wins, you're welcome to go f**k yourself! [Spittongue]
FaithEvans
0
Messi was no integral part of that 2006 trophy but eto'o and ronaldinho
he missed the final because of injury... use your brain (if u still have it)
amedave11
0
Pep met Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Pique, Iniesta at their best and peak. Just as Heyncks met Robben, Muller, Ribbery and co at their best. The only player that his best keeps evolving is CR7 reason why he won at youth (Man United), Peak age or best age (Real Madrid) and Old age or declined age (Real Madrid)
twist your word anyhow u want it to suit you
AverageS4v4g3
0
Did Michael Schumacher wins all his trophies by driving a VW Bug?
radcdlno
0
u just shut up kid..zizou only had cr7??. go n watch cartoons...then htf Ramos?kroos(top 3 best md)? modric (bld winner)?marcelo(best lb in history)? varane??...i came to know that don't know ntg abt football..when u said 1ucl=3laligas..ππgo get a life kid...have a nice day...#cancerous[Hitface]
lol you mad boy ...are you gonna compare modric kroos to iniesta and xavi ....go and sleep Pep had a greater team ...this Madrid team that won UCL is not the greatest in their own history
Kalyan_leo10
0
shut up we all know UCL is bigger and tougher than soo called laliga ...pep had 3 bal de war serious contenders he had the best squad but never defended the UCL ...which zizu did only christiano
u just shut up kid..zizou only had cr7??. go n watch cartoons...then htf Ramos?kroos(top 3 best md)? modric (bld winner)?marcelo(best lb in history)? varane??...i came to know that don't know ntg abt football..when u said 1ucl=3laligas..ππgo get a life kid...have a nice day...#cancerous[Hitface]
radcdlno
0
1 ucl = 3 laligas??? wtf...weed r u smoking bro.. ur own zidane admitted winning laliga is tougher than ucl... and abt Manchester utd.during peps era with barca..only utd were on the same level as barca...
shut up we all know UCL is bigger and tougher than soo called laliga ...pep had 3 bal de war serious contenders he had the best squad but never defended the UCL ...which zizu did only christiano
Kalyan_leo10
0
I ucl equalls 3 laligas and 3 copa de rays ....Pep only mastered united game and knocked them twice zizu met 3 difference sides and emerged winners ...Pep squad has always been better than zizus
1 ucl = 3 laligas??? wtf...weed r u smoking bro.. ur own zidane admitted winning laliga is tougher than ucl... and abt Manchester utd.during peps era with barca..only utd were on the same level as barca...
radcdlno
0
zizou coached 3 years compare Pep's first 3 years to zidane UCL-pep(2),Zizou(3) laliga-pep(3), Zizou (1) copadel-pep(1), zizou(0) total-pep(6), zizou (4) so...whats the matter now...
I ucl equalls 3 laligas and 3 copa de rays ....Pep only mastered united game and knocked them twice zizu met 3 difference sides and emerged winners ...Pep squad has always been better than zizus
Kalyan_leo10
0
zizu won three with Ronaldo only ...pep won two Messi iniesta and xavi
zizou coached 3 years compare Pep's first 3 years to zidane UCL-pep(2),Zizou(3) laliga-pep(3), Zizou (1) copadel-pep(1), zizou(0) total-pep(6), zizou (4) so...whats the matter now...
radcdlno
0
zizou hahahahaha
zizu won three with Ronaldo only ...pep won two Messi iniesta and xavi
kunanik
3
guardiola shuld be Argentina coch 2022 world cup
Yimcimnost
1
yah I agree ...pep is not the G.O.A.T without messi ...another incredible buyern team that had already conquered Europe then comes pep he adds money on it but just can't win it ...Not messi alone he had in berca he had everything including refs ....before you think Pep is great consider Ancelloti think zizu then comes Pep and Jose
f...kery you a talk come off the app with your nonsense.
Kalyan_leo10
1
yah I agree ...pep is not the G.O.A.T without messi ...another incredible buyern team that had already conquered Europe then comes pep he adds money on it but just can't win it ...Not messi alone he had in berca he had everything including refs ....before you think Pep is great consider Ancelloti think zizu then comes Pep and Jose
zizou hahahahaha
radcdlno
2
yah I agree ...pep is not the G.O.A.T without messi ...another incredible buyern team that had already conquered Europe then comes pep he adds money on it but just can't win it ...Not messi alone he had in berca he had everything including refs ....before you think Pep is great consider Ancelloti think zizu then comes Pep and Jose
chacha-sexy
1
MESSI'S LEAGUES ABOVE RONALDO INDIVISUALLY and everyone ever before. Blinds can't see but haters don't want to see it. Honestly Ronaldo's lucky and his biggest achievement is being compared to Messi. Man o Man someone needs to be equivocal and remove the the blinders to see the best ever by a country mile. LIONEL ANDRES MESSI CUCCITANI.
[image]
I have always thought Messi fans were blind ignorant spectators.... guess you just proved me right. how can u say Ronaldo is lucky? how can you be lucky for over 13 years... so you're the only one with luck.
chacha-sexy
1
MESSI'S LEAGUES ABOVE RONALDO INDIVISUALLY and everyone ever before. Blinds can't see but haters don't want to see it. Honestly Ronaldo's lucky and his biggest achievement is being compared to Messi. Man o Man someone needs to be equivocal and remove the the blinders to see the best ever by a country mile. LIONEL ANDRES MESSI CUCCITANI.
[image]
I have always thought Messi fans were blind ignorant spectators.... guess you just proved me right. how can u day Ronaldo is lucky? how can you be lucky for over 13 years... so you're the only one with luck.
vizabdkpy
4
In parallel world, messi is 'XavIniestadependencia' to win UCL
Shadownet
1
Zidane won UCL with CR7, Pep won UCL with Messi, so invariably any coach that has won without any of this big guns is the better coach right?
Mourinho
danny7_ida
2
MESSI'S LEAGUES ABOVE RONALDO INDIVISUALLY and everyone ever before. Blinds can't see but haters don't want to see it. Honestly Ronaldo's lucky and his biggest achievement is being compared to Messi. Man o Man someone needs to be equivocal and remove the the blinders to see the best ever by a country mile. LIONEL ANDRES MESSI CUCCITANI.
[image]
Did u take heroin this morning? I think your high on cheap crack. Ronaldo has even more individual awards more than penalty missing messi
danny7_ida
6
His critics are real stupid. Isn't he meant to use the players at his disposal to win the ucl. Zidane also had the likes of Ronaldo, kroos modric, Ramos and Marcelo. Let's see zidane win that cup as a city or Chelsea manager
brinco
0
What is the job of manager if its not to manage his players and all that tactical stuff l don't know what people want from Pep
Yedacilmyz
4
MESSI'S LEAGUES ABOVE RONALDO INDIVISUALLY and everyone ever before. Blinds can't see but haters don't want to see it. Honestly Ronaldo's lucky and his biggest achievement is being compared to Messi. Man o Man someone needs to be equivocal and remove the the blinders to see the best ever by a country mile. LIONEL ANDRES MESSI CUCCITANI.
danacet
3
Messi is going to best player in the world
Akivito
0
Zidane won the league too
well still can't be compared
Akivito
0
zinadan never won a treble, zindane won just one league but pep won 3
yes ,pep is best!
Longlife2000
3
All those saying that ate Haters of Barcelona and Messi but they will not say that Madrid won the 4 champions league because of Ronaldo. ..
yuydmny
0
If he failed to manage them well they still wouldn't have won things.. Isn't the same Messi still there and how many times have they gone past quarterfinals in the past 5 yeara
did messi not win it in 2015 valverde i s a bad coach
BrownX123
0
but how many times mister??? since pep left how many times has Barça gone to finals??? just once
Pep met Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Pique, Iniesta at their best and peak. Just as Heyncks met Robben, Muller, Ribbery and co at their best. The only player that his best keeps evolving is CR7 reason why he won at youth (Man United), Peak age or best age (Real Madrid) and Old age or declined age (Real Madrid)
BrownX123
1
Pep after leaving barca has only lifted the trophy once with bayern and messi has also lifted it once after pep left left with luis Enrique
Na Bayern won the UCL with Heyncks not Pep
BrownX123
4
Zidane won UCL with CR7, Pep won UCL with Messi, so invariably any coach that has won without any of this big guns is the better coach right?
kunsub
1
there is no question here pep made Barca great great getting the best out of a group of talented players isn't easy ask benitez with real Madrid ask Henry with Monaco ask Neville in Valencia ask Moyes and van gaal and you at United ask solari at madrid
pep made barca great ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
Zidabkuz
1
Barcelona had 1 UCL without Messi, 5 since he started playing for them... back off, hater!
Messi was no integral part of that 2006 trophy but eto'o and ronaldinho
DaffCoiled
1
A what a response from Pep. Indeed you are a genius
joshwealth
1
why is Messi failing now, 3 times has he failed to make other coaches world class, fails Argentina, failefmd valvede , Tata motino, let's b honest Gaurdiola made Mssigreat
Messi failing? No man he is lifting trophies and awards. Still leading Europe top scorer. Leading in assist with less games in hand and has already registered 30goals in this campaign. Tell me a player who is doing better so far.. And u call that failure? Damn people are so dumb
joshwealth
0
Messi is still there and they haven't gone past QF In the last 3 years so......
Pep after leaving barca has only lifted the trophy once with bayern and messi has also lifted it once after pep left left with luis Enrique