Pep Guardiola recently spoke out about the way his Manchester City team has often been criticized for their success being linked to financial power. Addressing his close friend and former assistant Mikel Arteta, Guardiola suggested that if Arsenal were to go on and win the Premier League title, many would still attribute that triumph to heavy spending rather than the hard work and tactical brilliance behind it. He pointed out that this same narrative has been used against his City side for years.
Guardiola also mentioned Liverpool as another example, highlighting their new manager Arne Slot. He argued that if Liverpool were to lift the trophy this season, the credit would likely be overshadowed by claims about the club’s financial investments. His message was clear: spending money on players is a part of modern football, but it should not diminish the effort, planning, and management that go into building a winning team.
The City boss went further to stress that it is not only Manchester City who spend significant amounts. According to him, almost every major club has invested heavily at one point or another to remain competitive at the top level. He emphasized that all clubs act within their rights and ambitions, and the perception that City’s success is uniquely tied to finances is unfair.
Guardiola concluded by stating that for many years, the ability to spend has been available to all clubs that wish to do so. He made it clear that City has been singled out and treated differently when it comes to these discussions. In his view, investment is a natural part of football at the highest level, and winning trophies requires much more than just money—it requires structure, hard work, and vision.
