Pep Guardiola replies to Fabio Capello's 'tremendous damage to football' accusation

Pep Guardiola has hit back at Fabio Capello’s criticism that he ruined Italian football, claiming “I’m not good enough” to do that.

Former England boss Capello also accused Guardiola of being “arrogant” and says he destroyed football in his homeland because all the coaches tried to play his style. The Manchester City manager notes everything Capello says and claims this is not the first time he has attacked him.

“I listen to everything that people say about me, everything, so be careful!” he smiled. "It’s not the first time that Mr Fabio Capello has said that. I’m not good enough to ruin Italian football. Italian football is much more important than the way we do it. A big hug for Fabio, a big hug.”

Guardiola also claimed it did not “hurt” watching Europe’s other top teams do battle in the Champions League this week because City did not deserve to be there. He enjoyed Liverpool against Paris St Germain and Real Madrid against Atletico and says he was able to watch as a spectator.

“It doesn’t hurt,” he said. “People say that, but I don’t have any disappointment or regrets. We don’t deserve to be there. Just enjoy football for the fantastic games, like there was at Anfield, or one week ago in Paris or the competitiveness or Madrid v Atletico Madrid or how good Barcelona are playing for many, many months and the way they played for 65 minutes against Benfica.

“So I’m just a spectator to learn, to see and to enjoy it. “I don’t have ‘oh, it’s a pity I was not there’. There are the incredible teams like like Atletico, Benfica or Liverpool, who are out.

“This competition, what happened with Julian [Alvarez] and Atletico, the margins. Can you imagine you are out of the CL for that reason? Atletico were brilliant with the style they played against Madrid, Madrid are always an incredible team in this competition. Look at that decision and seasons are judged good or bad.

“Look at Liverpool, they made all the points and the CEO is happy because they made a lot of money in the group stage and then the draw puts them against PSG.

“We suffered in Paris and the best player in Paris was Alisson and the best player in Anfield was Donnarumma. How do you judge that, in details and penalties?

“We suffered it in the past many, many times and nobody has to explain to me how special it is, but this season we didn’t deserve to be there.”

Guardiola also sympathised with Jack Grealish after new England boss Thomas Tuchel axed him from his first squad, despite his starring role for the Three Lions this autumn under caretaker manager Lee Carsley.

“I spoke with Jack many times, I want the best for him,” he said. “I cannot judge the reason why for the England national manager. I wish him all the best and all the best on the pitch and off it, that’s what I want for him.”