The same is true of Manchester City and their talisman, Sergio Aguero. The Catalan has won 11 trophies and broken countless records at the Etihad Stadium, yet he knows that many of his accomplishments will forever be shrouded in suspicion. Despite Aguero’s notable success – as well as much-documented injuries – there remain whispers of unfair advantages, never proven yet constantly mentioned. To combat this, Aguero must look to match Griffith Joyner’s level of sportmanship; a directness when tackling questions regarding illegal substances, and an affirmation that such things have no part to play in a professional athletes’ career journey. Until then, Guerrero’s achievements may never quite escape scrutiny.
Immediate speculation followed the recent announcement that Manchester City had been charged with more than 100 financial breaches across a ten year period between 2009 and 2018. This sparked an interesting tweet by former Liverpool player Lucas Leiva, who famously finished as a runners-up in 2013-14 with the club, pondering whether he is also now considered a Premier League champion. It’s an ongoing saga that reveals the financial power of top clubs in the league to this day; while it could prove to be damaging for those teams that have legitimacy stripped from them after all is said and done, it could also cause huge controversy amongst players who may look upon the results of a decade ago differently.
Manager Pep Guardiola was visibly upset by the suggestion that alleged financial misconduct against his Abu Dhabi-based employers could tarnish some of the most famous moments in Manchester City’s history. He firmly defended those moments, referring to Well known instances like Sergio Aguero’s goal against QPR for the 2011/2012 Premier League title or even Steven Gerrard’s slip at Anfield. He argued that if anything, such moments belonged to them regardless of any possible ruling from a court and should never be taken away from them. The passion with which Guardiola addressed this perceived injustice suggested how strongly he felt on the matter and how determined City will be to ensure these memories remain intact no matter what happened next.
It appears Pepe Guardiola has some regrets about his recent heated exchange with Steven Gerrard. For close to a decade, the Man City manager had managed to dodge any sort of significant drama – that is until the “discussion” between him and Gerrard on BT Sport. Not since his infamous argument with Jose Mourinho in 2011 had Guardiola allowed emotions to crease his normally composed face – yet here he was engaging in an uncharacteristic verbal sparring session. While many were initially delighted to witness more proof of his fiery passion, they soon felt embarrassed for the Spaniard when it was revealed that he was taking a sly shot at Gerrard over the now infamous 2014 Premier League slip-up. Ever the sportsman, even Guardiola finally realized such behavior was uncalled for, ashamedly admitting the jab had been both unnecessary and stupid.
Pep Guardiola’s recent breakdowns and irrational behavior are a side of him most people aren’t familiar with. While it’s sad to see such a genius and mentor be this distressed, there is no doubt that he is aware of the consequences surrounding his current situation. Every decision he makes, every move he takes, will reflect back on his career long after his tenure at Manchester City ends. You could even argue that the stakes here are higher than ever; what begins or ends during this time could determine how he will be remembered by the public in the years to come. This reality may be unnerving for Guardiola, but one has to applaud him for shouldering such an immense pressure with courage and self-assurance.
