Pep Guardiola puts down the microphone and walks away after Laura Woods’ question (Image: TNT Sports)
Pep Guardiola refused to comment on TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods’ question, which pundit Steven Gerrard found “brave”. Guardiola lifted his 20th trophy as Manchester City manager on Saturday night after Antoine Semenho’s deft second-half goal gave his team a 1-0 victory. The trophy could be the last for club legends Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who leave this summer.
But this could be Guardiola’s last win at City. The 55-year-old Catalan manager could reportedly leave the Premier League this summer after 10 years in Manchester. After City’s Wembley win, Woods tried to blame Guardiola for his future, but she asked: “Pep, there’s been a lot of rumors about you leaving, aren’t there?” Manager Guardiola pretended to be confused, asking, “What rumors?” To which Woods replied, “Rumor!” However, Guardiola ended the interview early by simply saying, “I hope you have a wonderful night!” This drew laughter from the rest of the panel, where Woods was accompanied by Gerrard, Joe Cole and former City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
As they laughed, Guardiola put the microphone on the table and shook hands with all four players as Woods said: “Sure, you’re leaving the interview. Congratulations, Pep. What a season they’ve had.” After Guardiola left, Gerrard said with a smile: “Fair play Laura, that was courageous. That was courageous.” Hart said, “Laura, you nailed him!” Woods, on the other hand, responded, “I have to ask! I think I’ll get fired if I don’t ask.”
Guardiola spoke about City’s victory in the same interview, adding after winning his third FA Cup final: “There have been five finals in the last 10 years and we won three and lost two, which is pretty decent. I think we had chances (to score more), but our opponents Colwill, James, Caicedo… they were really, really good.”
“Fernandes and Cole were dangerous. We were better in the second half. Antoine had chances in the first half, but they were better. We found the goal. I felt we were better than today against Crystal Palace last season and against Manchester United last season, but sometimes things like that happen in football. I’m really happy for the players.”
Speaking to Woods, who is an Arsenal fan, he added: “We’re still living in the Premier League. Sorry Laura! But it’s great to have two titles.” Commenting on Semenho’s goal, Guardiola continued: “Normally Antoine has to cross and Erling has to finish. Marc and Antoine’s influence since the winter transfer has been incredible. The only regret is that players who deserved to play didn’t play.”
Josep Guardiola won the FA Cup three times as Man City manager. (Image: Getty)
“We left six guys in the stands and didn’t let them play. Even after all these years, that’s hard to swallow. Not just John (Stones), but all of them. But at the end of the day, it’s a business and you have to do what you believe in.”
Guardiola continued: “Listen, Chelsea, we knew it, we talked about it the last two days. They came (played) three days ago and they had seven days. Yesterday’s journey was difficult to get here, it took six hours because the train was delayed. They are very good, they have quality.”
“We were inconsistent there, but you never know what can happen in one game, a final.” City return to Premier League action on Tuesday night against Bournemouth, with Arsenal playing Burnley 24 hours earlier. If the Gunners win, the Sky Blues know that just three points will be enough to clinch the title on the final day.
But the Cherries are unbeaten in 16 games and are in a strong position to qualify for Europe ahead of their final home game of the season at the Vitality Stadium, and the last game in front of fans in front of departing manager Andoni Iraola.
