Guardiola calls out Man City fans in extraordinary outburst despite Spurs win

Pep Guardiola ripped into Manchester City's "silent" fans after sections of the support booed the team off at half-time against Spurs.

City supporters were not happy following a dismal end to the first half at the Etihad which saw Spurs race into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal. The referee's half-time whistle was met by a chorus of boos from the home fans as they turned on Guardiola and his troops.

Although City rectified the situation in the second half to claim an important 4-2 win, the response from the Etihad at the interval clearly rankled with Guardiola, who took aim in his post-match interview.

"Our fans were silent for 45 minutes - I want my fans back," said Guardiola in a remarkable outburst.

"I want my fans that are here - not my away fans, they are the best - but my fans here to support every corner and every action, because Tottenham are one of the toughest opponents I've ever faced.

"They booed because we were losing but in the second half we played good, we had more chances. Maybe it's the same with our team, maybe we are so comfortable with winning four Premier Leagues in five years."

Guardiola also took aim at his own players, claiming that they lacked the "passion" and "fire" to win. "I cannot deny how happy we are but we are far away from the team that we were," he added.

"Not in terms of play, we played good in the first half but there are many things in terms of competitiveness, in terms of what we have to do in many many things, we are far away.

"There is nothing from the stomach and the guts. Today we were lucky but if we do not change then sooner or later we are going to drop points again.'

Pressed on what he felt was missing, Guardiola replied: "Passion, fire, and desire and to win from minute one. It's the same with our spectators, our fans had a silent 45 minutes.

"They boo [at half-time] because we were losing, but that's the same as our team, maybe we were so comfortable winning four Premier Leagues in five years. After they scored a goal we react, but that is not the point."

Incredibly, it's not the first time Guardiola has risked the wrath of City's fans. Following a Champions League win over RB Leipzig in September 2021, the Spaniard upset home supporters after urging more people to attend games.

"I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday," he said. "We will need the people next Saturday, please, because we will be tired. I invite all our people to come next Saturday, 3pm, and watch the game."