Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has targetted his Roma counterpart Jose Mourinho as part of his bid to defend his side’s European fiasco. The Spaniard has taken a dig at Mourinho’s failed attempt to qualify the Giallorossi for next season’s Champions League.
Guardiola has spent a fortune on strengthening his Man City squad since taking charge in 2016. But despite landing three Premier League titles in his five years at the helm, the ex-Barcelona manager has failed to lead the Cityzens to their first-ever Champions League crown.
Man City came tantalisingly close to winning the Champions League last season, only to see his side fall to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. The Cityzens were knocking on the door this season. However, a calamitous collapse in the second leg of their blockbuster semi-final tie against Real Madrid resulted in another disappointing exit.
Guardiola has helped Man City establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, but a lack of European silverware threatens to spoil his managerial legacy.
Since winning two Champions League titles back in his early managerial days at Barcelona, Guardiola has failed to add to his trophy cabinet with Bayern Munich and Man City. With the pressure ramping up on the 51-year-old, the former midfielder has pointed his finger at Mourinho’s Roma.
Guardiola aimed at Mourinho’s underwhelming maiden season at the Stadio Olimpico as an excuse for his European failure, claiming money is no guarantee of winning the competition, let alone qualifying for it.
“People say that since this team has not managed to win the Champions League then it is a failure. I totally disagree but I accept it, I will not debate who is right or who is wrong,” he said.
“The day we win it I’m sure they will say it’s it was because we spent so much money, not for the work behind it.
“For me it is not a question of money and the fans do not understand it. Roma have also spent a lot of money, but they are not in the Champions League.“
As pointed out by Guardiola, Roma have never really been in the Serie A top-four frame this season. Instead, Mourinho’s men will have to settle for a Europa League qualification at best.
In a worst-case scenario, the Giallorossi will be playing in Europa Conference League next season unless they conquer the competition this term. Roma will take on Feyenoord in the Albanian showpiece later in May.