Man Utd cannot have 'eternal success' warns Guardiola
But Bayern Munich boss also tells David Moyes that managers face 'trouble' if big clubs don't win
BAYERN MUNICH coach Pep Guardiola has ramped up the pressure on Man United boss David Moyes ahead of tonight's Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford by warning the Scot: "In the big clubs when you don't win, always you are in trouble."
As recently as 12 months ago Bayern would have travelled to Manchester as marginal underdogs for a European tie of such magnitude, but now the German giants are firm favourites to leave Old Trafford with the upper hand ahead of the return leg in Munich next week.
Bayern, who last week retained the Bundesliga title with seven matches to spare, had little trouble disposing of Arsenal in the previous round and United aren't expected to offer much more in the way of serious opposition tonight. Currently lying seventh in the Premier League, 17 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, United are experiencing their worst domestic season for a generation, and Guardiola knows it.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"No one can have the secrets to eternal success," said the Spaniard, who guided Barcelona to two Champions League titles during his time at the Camp Nou. "No one can win titles without big players and I was lucky throughout my career to have big, big players. I have a lot of respect for my colleagues and, when Manchester United decided to take David Moyes, it is because they are able to do it. Sometimes you need a little more time."
Insisting Moyes "is a good coach" who "did a good job at Everton", Guardiola nonetheless dismissed the idea that the Scot was bequeathed a bad squad by his predecessor. "I don't know how Sir Alex Ferguson can have a bad influence on this club," he said. "I think it's completely opposite. This club was the best club in England thanks to him... I am pretty sure Alex Ferguson was the most important person in this club's history, at least in the last half-century."
Meanwhile veteran United midfielder Ryan Giggs, only three years younger than Guardiola, believes that the underdogs tag will work in their favour this evening. "We're confident," declared the 40-year-old Welshman, the only survivor of the United side that beat Bayern in the final of the 1999 Champions League. "You need to play well, to get that little bit of luck.. [but] of course it is possible."
Giggs also rejected rumours that he and Moyes don't see eye-to-eye, and that he was frustrated with his lack of game time at Old Trafford. "There is no problem with the manager, I don't know where that came from," said Giggs. "Of course as a player you want to play all the time... but you are not sulking, you just have to be ready to play your best for the team."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Puppet shows, pagodas and pho: a guide to Hanoi
The Week Recommends Vietnam's capital city blends the ancient with the new
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'There are benefits, but not acknowledging them would tell only half of the story'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What Trump's win could mean for Big Tech
Talking Points The tech industry is bracing itself for Trump's second administration
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published