Fired-up Noel Gallagher says ‘that is mental’ to talkSPORT host during row over Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola
NOEL GALLAGHER insists it would be “mental” to brand Pep Guardiola a failure if he doesn’t guide Manchester City to Champions League glory.
The Spaniard came agonisingly close to steering City to success in Europe’s premier club competition in May 2021 – losing an all-Premier League final against Chelsea.
Guardiola’s failure to lift the Champions League trophy with City’s vast millions at his disposal has many footy fans holding Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson in higher regard than him – including footy pundit Andy Goldstein.
That notion, however, rattled City fan Gallagher – who told talkSPORT: “Alex Ferguson never invented anything. Pep Guardiola changed football.”
Goldstein was quick to point out Fergie’s legendary record, saying: “He has won the treble. He has 13 Premier League titles.”
Oasis star Gallagher then, incorrectly, said: “He never did it in any other country, did he?”
Ferguson, of course, guided Aberdeen to three Scottish First Division titles and the European Cup Winner’s Cup, breaking the Old Firm duopoly.
Gallagher, 55, then proceeded to downplay United’s Champions League triumphs in 1999 and 2008.
He said: “Well, the greatest manager of all time, jammed two Champions League finals, one on penalties and one in injury time.”
Goldstein then pointed out to Gallagher other than the 2021 final, that Guardiola hasn’t come close to winning the Champions League in over a decade.
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He then asked: “For argument’s sake, if Guardiola leaves Man City without winning the Champions League, is he a failure?”
Gallagher burst out into laughter as he said: “That is mental. Failure?
“What are you talking about?
“He has changed the way that football is played in this country. And probably every country he has ever been in.
“Everyone plays out from the back, kids are doing it and they don’t even know what it means.
“But they do it, because he does it. He is a tactical genius.”
Manchester City will be back in action at the Etihad this evening for a Premier League title race six-pointer against current table toppers Arsenal.