Pep Guardiola offers Capello ‘big hug’ as Man City boss jokes he is ‘controlling’ critics

Pep Guardiola has joked that his critics need to “be careful” after managerial great Fabio Capello said the Manchester City boss’s “arrogance” had “cost him several Champions Leagues”.

European champion Capello praised Guardiola but claimed the Spaniard “came to tell me how I should do my job” when he was a player under the Italian at Roma and “always wanted to be the main character” for the most important matches of his tenures at Bayern Munich and City.

“I listen to everything people say about me, so be careful,” Guardiola quipped when he was asked about the remarks, pointing his fingers towards his eyes to mime observation.

“I am controlling you. It’s not the first time that Mr Fabio Capello has said that. A big hug for Fabio – a big hug.”

🎙️| Pep Guardiola on Fabio Capello’s comments and calling Pep ‘arrogant’:

“I listen to everything that people say about me. Everything. So be careful. 🤣🤫

🎥 via @BeanymanSports pic.twitter.com/BRrj66n4MA

— City HQ (@City_HQs) March 14, 2025

What did Capello say about Guardiola?

Speaking to Spanish outlet The worldCapello said he “really appreciated Guardiola as a coach” and credited the 54-year-old with achieving “beautiful things”.

“I have experienced three revolutions in football, roughly one every 20 years: (Johan) Cruyff’s Ajax, (Arrigo) Sacchi’s Milan and Guardiola’s (Barcelona),” said Capello, whose titles included Serie A four times with Milan and once with Roma, the 1993/94 Champions League with the Rossoneri and The League twice with Real Madrid.

“One day, he came to tell me how I should do my job, and I replied: ‘Start running, and then you can talk.’ The fact is, he would stroll around the pitch, and I had no intention of playing him instead of someone who deserved it more.

“Do you know what I don’t like about Guardiola? His arrogance. The Champions League he won with City (in 2023) was the only one where he didn’t try anything strange in the decisive matches.

“But in other years, in Manchester and Munich, on crucial days, he always wanted to be the main character. He changed things and made inventions just so he could say: ‘The players don’t win, I win.’

“That arrogance cost him several Champions Leagues. I respect him, but I see it clearly.”

Capello said Guardiola’s tactics at Barcelona, with whom he became European champion in 2009 and 2011, had caused “enormous damage to football”.

“Why?” he asked. “Because everyone spent 10 years trying to copy him. This ruined Italian football, which lost its identity. I kept saying: ‘Stop now – you don’t have Guardiola’s players.

Capello said the concept of players taking a large number of touches during games was “a disaster” and “a bore that scared many people away from football”.

“Just look at the highlights,” he suggested. “Why watch 90 minutes of passing and passing sideways without battles, without running?”

Sights set on the Seagulls 💪 pic.twitter.com/cf3HiIDBVC

– Manchester City (@Mancity) March 11, 2025

Man City vs Brighton: Champions League berth ‘a challenge’

Fifth-placed City host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (3pm GMT), when only victory will move them above fourth-placed Chelsea.

The in-form Seagulls will leapfrog City if they win at Etihad Stadium for the first time in their history, and Guardiola named Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle and “maybe Fulham” as contenders to guarantee a Champions League place by finishing in the top four.

“They deserve it,” he said of City’s rivals for qualification. “They are really good and consistent, they have incredible weapons in the way they play.

“It’s not a disappointment to be here, it’s a challenge. If we qualify for the Champions League, it will be a huge success. There are seasons in life and sport that you have to live (through).”

An extra spot in next season’s competition looks likely to be awarded to the team finishing fifth because of England’s coefficient points, which are awarded based on how teams from each country perform in European competitions.

PEP 💬 I think Brighton is one of the best clubs working on and off the pitch. I think they start with Graham Potter, they make a step, then De Zerbi, and now with this exceptional young manager who’s doing incredibly good things. pic.twitter.com/zK3wDeQk83

– Manchester City (@Mancity) March 14, 2025

Guardiola on Grealish England omission

Playmaker Jack Grealish, who has not started a league game since December 21, was left out of new England manager Thomas Tuchel’s first squad on Friday.

Grealish was called up by Tuchel’s predecessor, Lee Carsley, but missed out on the previous Three Lions squad, in November, through injury.

“I cannot judge the reasons why,” Guardiola said of Tuchel’s decision, adding that Grealish had trained well. “I wish (Grealish) all the best on and off the pitch.”