Fans slam Pep Guardiola for ‘making excuses’ in his post-match interview after Man City’s defeat against Spurs

On Saturday evening, Manchester City faced Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, aiming to snap their four-match losing streak.

However, Guardiola’s side delivered a lackluster performance as Spurs dominated them throughout. A first-half brace from James Maddison, along with goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson, secured a resounding 4-0 victory for Tottenham. This defeat marked City’s fifth consecutive loss, putting them under immense pressure ahead of crucial fixtures against Feyenoord and Liverpool next week.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts, saying, “We do not expect opponents to not create chances and score goals. We’re in the moment. We started really well, we had chances, and after the first time they arrive, we concede. Then it’s a bit more difficult to come back.

“Chances were there. The moment they create the chances, the build-up, we couldn’t handle the duels like normally. Now we’re struggling a little bit. It cannot happen. When you play top-level teams, we can concede chances, but it’s part of the process. In our situation, it’s a bit tougher.

“I have to see the situation. The players came back late [from internationals]. There were a few reasons we’re not able to be consistent. Now the balance is not in the right moment. But it happened. We have to do it, talk, and on Tuesday against Feyenoord, have the chance to try.”

Guardiola also addressed the absence of key players, saying, “Of course, Rodri is important, but we knew that for many months. Stones can only play 45 minutes. Jack has been injured many times. Kevin, two months and five months. We have to come back and freshen our minds. The season is so long. Many things can happen.

“Before the game, I didn’t know what will happen today. So I don’t know what will happen at Anfield. Everyone knows the situation is new for us. We struggled more without the ball. I don’t know how many chances we created. Our game was there.”

City fans, however, were unimpressed with Guardiola’s explanations, taking to social media to voice their frustrations.

One fan wrote, “Hahahaha Pep is always full of excuses. ‘The players came back late (from international break)’ – same for EVERY team after the international break! Media give him protection. Imagine if Arteta said this!! The media would bury him!!!”

Another added, “I don’t want to hear any foolish excuses! All this is on Pep!”

A third fan commented, “Pep has just reeled every excuse in the book out…”

A fourth said, “Excuse-making so soon? They’re just missing Rodri. A tactical mastermind like Pep can deal with it, right?”