Manchester City will host Salford, part-owned by pundit and one of Manchester United’s Class of 92 former stars Gary Neville on Saturday evening (5:45pm kick-off).
Throughout his tenure at City, Pep Guardiola has been involved in a number of high-profile rows with pundit and Salford co-owner Gary Neville, and the former has made it clear he couldn’t see himself taking on a punditry role like Neville, head of their FA clash this Saturday.
The celebrated Spaniard, despite currently experiencing in his managerial career an unusual bad patch languishing in sixth position in the Premier League table, has clashed with Neville on several occasions since taking charge of City in 2016. The Catalan had responded to Neville’s criticism they were boring.
He also responded to comments Neville made recently about his treatment of Kevin De Bruyne. As a result, Guardiola believes that commenting on the difficulties his peers face isn’t his style.
“I don’t think I’m going to do that, I am cautious,” Guardiola said. “I couldn’t make a comment that could hurt my colleagues. I know how difficult this job is, how difficult it is, and I don’t want to pretend sitting there.
“It’s so unpredictable and many things happen. I (could) hurt someone sometimes with the delivery [of the punditry comments].”
Despite disagreements, Guardiola prefers focusing on his managerial duties: “We can agree and disagree. My job is here, their job is there. I wanted to defend my club, it’s not personal.
“I know how difficult it is. I was a football player before, now a manager and our business is so complicated and so unpredictable, I don’t want to hurt my colleagues in a position to do it. Maybe it will happen in the future – but honestly I don’t think so.”
City are currently sixth in the Premier League after a rocky start to the season. Following defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa, Guardiola’s side are currently on a three-game unbeaten run.
After the FA Cup third round, the Blues will take on Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday, January 14.