Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has swiped back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the AC Milan striker claimed the Spaniard’s ego could be too big to allow Erling Haaland to thrive at the Etihad Stadium.
Veteran former Barcelona striker Ibrahimovic has suggested Haaland will only continue to flourish at Manchester City if manager Guardiola tempers his ego.
Ibrahimovic fell out with Guardiola over a decade ago during the Catalan’s time in charge at the Nou Camp and has remained critical in the years since.
In his autobiography, Ibrahimovic likened himself to a Ferrari that needed premium fuel and should be driven flat out on the motorway, but complained that Guardiola treated him like a diesel-filled Fiat in the countryside.
The Swede’s latest salvo came as he reflected on fellow forward Haaland’s stunning start at the Etihad Stadium, with the Norwegian having scored 22 goals in 16 City appearances.
Ibrahimovic told Canal+: “Is Guardiola able to improve him? That depends on the ego that Guardiola has, if he allows himself to be bigger than Haaland or not. He didn’t allow me or the others to be as big.”
“Is Guardiola able to improve him?” said Ibrahimovic. “That depends on the ego that Guardiola has, if he allows himself to be bigger than Haaland or not. He didn’t allow me or the others to be as big.”
Guardiola clearly did not want to get drawn into a war of words with the 41-year-old, who is now at AC Milan, as he reflected on his comments at a press conference on Friday.
With tongue apparently in cheek, Guardiola said: “He is right, he is completely right. In this club, in this team, my ego is beyond every other person, every player!
“I don’t like it when Erling scores three goals, and all the highlight is for him. I am so jealous! Honestly, so jealous!
“I said, ‘Erling, please no more goals, otherwise The Sun and Daily Mail won’t talk about me, and just about me. He is right, he knows me perfectly. He can write another book.”
When it was suggested Guardiola might be being sarcastic, he responded: “No. I am right in what I am saying. My ego is… phwoosh.”
Guardiola took over as City boss in 2016 and has since led the club to four Premier League titles, four League Cups and the FA Cup. But the 51-year-old hasn’t been able to get his hands on the Champions League trophy during his time in England. The signing of Haaland could change that this season, however, with City progressing to the knockout stages of the competition as Group G winners after remaining unbeaten throughout the group stages.
