Pep Guardiola demands boo’ing and criticism from Man City fans over silence

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that he would prefer home supporters at the Etihad Stadium to boo rather than sitting in silence.

The Catalan coach was critical those in attendance at the 4-2 win over Tottenham last Thursday, when his side fell 0-2 behind prior to the half-time interval, stating that the club as a whole is ‘happy flowers’.

That sparked a reaction in the home match that immediately followed, with the Etihad Stadium in full voice in the Premier League clash with Wolves on Sunday afternoon, inspiring the team on to a comfortable 3-0 win over Julen Lopetegui’s team.

Speaking after the victory, that moves Manchester City within just five points of Arsenal who have a game in hand, Pep Guardiola admitted that he was ‘very pleased’ with the reaction of his players given the short turnaround time since a very intense previous fixture.

“We played two days and a half (ago); the last previous game, recovery, everything, a team not good in the table but the quality they have we saw it in the second-half. We competed really well and we scored the goals in the right moments, especially in the second-half,” Guardiola said.

“We had chances, in the first-half we didn’t have, once. In the second-half, they pushed us a little bit more. Another victory after our victory against Tottenham, it’s important to continue in this way.”

While Manchester City may have made lightwork of their opponents on Sunday, with Wolves struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League table, Guardiola was keen to stress that they did not underestimate the talents at Lopetegui’s disposal.

“They (Wolves) have quality, they have a process that they want to do with Ruben Neves, with (Matheus) Nunes, with (Joao) Moutinho, (Mario) Lemina – all their players, they have quality,” he stressed. “The first-half especially, the pace with Adama (Traore), always a threat. But we were serious, and we made a fantastic game.”

But what did Pep Guardiola make of the Etihad Stadium crowd – who he had so strongly criticised in the aftermath of the 4-2 win over Tottenham.

The Manchester City boss agreed that there was a clear improvement in the home atmosphere, and went as far as to demand that his supporters should ‘boo and criticise’ his players if performances fall below par, as opposed to ‘being silent’.

“Definitely (a good atmosphere),” Guardiola began. “I think my speech last time wasn’t just about that. I prefer they boo and criticise than be silent. We are here, and sometimes we play not good, and when that happens I want my fans to demand maximum from us.”

“If they are not happy, I prefer they boo than not say anything. When they are with this energy, the players feel it, I feel it, everyone feels it, and together we are stronger.”

Pep Guardiola continued, “At the end they come here to have fun. Honestly, in the last years, it was quite fun, so it’s just a question of, ‘Come on! Let’s do it again!’”

Manchester City return to action on Friday night, once again at the Etihad Stadium, as they face Premier League title rivals Arsenal for the first time this season, but in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.