Sports
Guardiola’s bizarre advice for under-fire Alonso ahead of Real Madrid vs Man City
Pep Guardiola had some bizarre advice for under-fire Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso ahead of Manchester City’s visit to the Bernabeu in the Champions League.
Alonso, who played under City boss Guardiola for two years while he was in charge at Bayern Munich, has come under pressure during his first season in charge of Real after a run of just two wins in their last seven games – including a shock 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo.
Having previously led LaLiga for much of the season, they are now four points off Barcelona at the top.
Asked in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game in the league phase about what advice he would give to his former player to deal with the “lonliness” which comes with being Real Madrid boss, Guardiola had an interesting response.
The Catalan boss said: “He should pee on his own. I won’t pee for him. You like that headline right?”
“I only wish him the best,” Guardiola added. “I love and appreciate him.”
“Every team is different and Xabi knows what he has to do. Four days ago they were leading La Liga. It is a process and let us see how this ends.
“A season is a rollercoaster, there are injuries and things happen. Since coaching at Barcelona, I wanted the team to grow from October and then see what happens and how it ends.”
‘Barcelona and Real Madrid are the toughest clubs to be a manager’
Guardiola started his managerial journey with Real’s arch rivals Barcelona, leading them to countless success, but says being in charge of the two LaLiga giants’ are the toughest jobs in football.
He added: “I have sympathy because we were together for two years and it was an incredible experience being with him.
“Barcelona and Madrid are the toughest clubs to be a manager, the pressure and environment. If I would have done last season here, I would have been sacked. It’s difficult but he knows it, he has been here.
“They have a lot of absences. I know what happens when you wanna build something. Of course he is capable to do it, what is required in that position.”
