Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has, on Sunday, moved to defend Chelsea counterpart Graham Potter.
Guardiola and Potter, of course, went toe to toe for the 2nd time in the space of a week a short time ago.
After City got the better of Chelsea owing to a solitary Riyad Mahrez strike on Thursday, the Algerian proved the star of the show once more, this time en route to a dominant 4-0 final scoreline.
Either side of goals from Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden, Mahrez bagged a brace, to guide the Sky Blues into the 4th round of the FA Cup.
There’s no saving those ⛔️@Mahrez22 @ManCity#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/OnuAajLfzt
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023
Turning attentions away from City and towards Chelsea, though, the situation, of course, looks an altogether more bleak one.
The capital giants are currently in the midst of a dismal stretch of form, which has seen them slip to the depths of mid-table in the Premier League.
“Weve got Super Tommy Tuchel” chants from the away end 💀 pic.twitter.com/XvheKA4oIE
— CarefreeLewisG🇪🇹 (@CarefreeLewisG) January 8, 2023
Speaking on the back of the full-time whistle in Manchester, Pep Guardiola, in turn, was drawn on Potter’s claims that he requires more time to implement his long-term plan in west London.
And City’s boss went on to send a direct message to Blues owner Todd Boehly:
“I would say to Todd Boehly, it was a pleasure to meet him, but give him time. Give him time. The second part is about what he is. All the managers need time and he is right. At Barca, I didn’t need two seasons because I had Messi.”
Guardiola on Potter saying he needs time: “I would say to Todd Boehly, it was a pleasure to meet him, but give him time. Give him time. The second part is about what he is. All the managers need time and he is right. At Barca, I didn’t need two seasons because I had Messi.”
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 8, 2023
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