Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed what he told a Manchester City fan who was cajoling him on the sideline during their win over Newcastle United at the Etihad on Saturday evening.
The Blues secured a narrow win over the visitors through a wonderful strike from Julian Alvarez in the 31st minute.
Man City did not build on their lead and the game remained in the balance until the final whistle. One supporter implored the manager to make a change and Guardiola could be seen exchanging words with the spectator.
“He said to me ‘make a sub’, I said come sit here and do it,” he told TNT Sports. “The game was in a good tempo, a good rhythm. I didn’t see the players too tired. It wasn’t easy to make the changes so I didn’t do it.”
"He said to me 'make a substitution!'"
"So I said… 'come sit here, you do it!'" 🤣
Pep Guardiola on his random interaction with a fan mid way through the second half of Man City's 1-0 win over Newcastle!
🎙️ @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/YqSVXoHOaW
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 19, 2023
When asked for his feelings on the result, Guardiola responded: “No words. Where we came from, the success after the last game in Athens, that’s the reason why we are a very good team. The talent, how they follow us, still they have the desire to do it.
“To come here against that team everyone saw against Aston Villa it as magnificent. The way we played it was more than deserved. Everyone was a top performer.
“Now a long week to rest a little bit and prepare for the future. Everyone is fantastic, what can I say? It means a lot to all of us.”
City now boast a 100 percent record in the Premier League after two games. The defending champions trail Brighton in the table on goal difference. Guardiola’s side travel to Bramall Lane next week to face Sheffield United.