‘Spot on’, ‘Spitting fact’, ‘people just hate on middle Eastern owners’ – Man City fans react as Guardiola aims another jibe at Liverpool and United over their spending

Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City are unfairly criticised for their transfer spending compared to rivals Liverpool and Manchester United who are judged differently.

Pep Guardiola created headlines on Sunday when he hit out at the favouritism he feels Liverpool enjoy, telling beIN Sports entirely unprompted: ‘Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone.’

City have already got the summer transfer window off to an exciting start by confirming they have secured a deal to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

The initial fee for the Norwegian sensation is only £51million, but that rises significantly to around £86million once agents’ fees and bonuses are added.

City have predictably come in for criticism from some corners for the amount they spend but Guardiola has hit out strongly saying he feels the spending of his rivals is treated and perceived differently to that of his club.

Asked why he feels there is a degree of snobbery attached to the perception of City’s spending, Guardiola told Sky Sports: ‘Listen, Liverpool in the 1970s or 80s, or United with Sir Alex Ferguson – who spent more money?

‘Who spent more money? It was Norwich? Norwich spent more money in that period?

‘Or what other teams… Leicester? Leicester spent more money than them? No. They spent more money than the other ones. But the money from them is completely different than now.’

Asked why that is, he replied: ‘I’ve said I’m not going to change that [perception].

‘When we put here [on the front of our shirts] Etihad, people say, “Oh it’s overpaid”. But now United and Liverpool are going to get paid maybe more than us, because maybe deserved because they are working well, because the CEO negotiated well, whatever happened.

‘They get more and because it’s from the United States of America or another country – or the owners are – so now its perfect.

‘So that’s why it’s not going to change, for a long time it’s not going to change, that is the reality. The only way we can change is doing well on the pitch.’

These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Spitting fact.”
Credit: @Bode2

“Spot on.”
Credit: @breadlineblues

“Big moneys been a part of football for decades now.”
Credit: @CrustyFlacko

“Broken Pep might be my favorite coach. He speaks frankly and I love it 💙.”
Credit: @La_Cityzen

“We spend the same, people just rememeber the price tags for us since we’re successful.”
Credit: @hahaaahdnxnsak

“He’s right, people just hate on middle Eastern owners”
Credit: @KKPbytheway

“Love it, hopefully his realisation of this is what spurs him to say “f**k it, watch me stay and build a dynasty”, and really boil some piss.”
Credit: @majorramblings

“He seems so rattled I love it. I disagreed with all the people that complained the softness and respectfulness of the friendly citypool rivalry but this is so much more fun they were right.”
Credit: @eliwand22

“Exactly speak louder pep so those at the back can hear it.. if me and someone else goes into a shop with same money £10 or £20 buy the exact same products we are going to get the exact same change. The cashier won’t ask you how you got money either should anyone”
Credit: @mikepriestley13

“Love him so much”
Credit: @mcfckc_

“My manager forever 💙”
Credit: @m8ena13