Premier League news: Guardiola refuses to be silenced after being told to ‘focus on football’

1. ‘Why should I not express what I feel?’

A defiant Pep Guardiola has defended his right to condemn Israel’s attacks on Gaza after being told to “focus on football” by a Jewish group in Manchester. Manchester City’s manager spoke out earlier in the week and is refusing to be silenced.

“I didn’t say anything special. I don’t feel that. Why should I not express what I feel? Just because I’m a manager,” said Guardiola. “I don’t agree but I respect all opinions. What I said basically is how many conflicts there are right now all around the world. I condemn all of them. If innocent people are killed, I condemn them all - not this country being more than the other one.”

On Tuesday Guardiola named Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine when talking about the killing of innocent victims in conflict. “The genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened all around the world – in Sudan, everywhere. What happened in front of us? Do you want to see it? It’s our problem as human beings,” the 55-year-old said.

He also gave a speech in support of Palestinian children at a charity event in Barcelona. Yet in a statement posted on X and its website the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region said: “We have repeatedly asked for prominent individuals to be mindful about the words they use given how Jewish people have had to endure attacks across the globe. Pep Guardiola is a football manager. Whilst his humanitarian reflections may be well-intentioned, he should focus on football.

“Manchester City is being let down by him repeatedly straying into commentary on international affairs. This is the second time in a week he has decided to offer his controversial views on the Middle East conflict.

“It’s especially galling given his total failure to use his significant platform to display any solidarity with the Jewish community subjected to a terrorist attack a few miles from the Etihad Stadium or the Barcelona community reeling from anti-Semitic violence close to where he once engaged in remarks we believe to be provocative.”

Guardiola takes City to Liverpool for Sunday’s late kickoff with Erling Haaland having scored just once from open play in 10 appearances. Haaland was dropped for Wednesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, again failing to score as a late substitute. Omar Marmoush, who replaced him, scored twice yet Guardiola has backed Haaland, saying: “Erling is the best striker in the world”. He added: “I don’t know if he plays at Liverpool but I always say Erling is the best.” Jamie Jackson

2. Howe: ‘My future isn’t relevant’

Eddie Howe has moved to quell speculation he could walk away at the end of the season following a dispiriting run of results. The Carabao Cup holders’ defence of their first major domestic trophy in 70 years ended on Wednesday night when Manchester City completed a 5-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Newcastle, and they head into Saturday’s Premier League fixture with Brentford sitting in 11th place in the table.

However, after social media went into overdrive in the wake of a disappointing first-half performance at the Etihad Stadium to suggest the 48-year-old has taken the club as far as he can, with further speculation that he could replace England manager Thomas Tuchel this summer despite Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson’s claim this week that the two parties remain happy with each other, Howe was in defiant mood.

“That’s a surprise to me,” Howe said: “I give my best to the football club every single day, to all the players and the staff. I try to be the best version of myself to inspire the team to win games. That’s my only thought. I don’t tend to look too far ahead, but I try to prepare and plan for the club to move forward in every sense.

“My individual future isn’t really relevant. Who knows? I don’t know my length of time here, I’ve got no idea. I just try to do my best every day until told differently.”

Eddie Howe and his Newcastle players applaud the away fans after the Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City. Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

The loss of £130m striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool during the summer has had a lasting impact, and Howe acknowledges that the £219m they spent on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey is yet to pay full dividends.

“For me, it’s too early to make strong conclusions from that transfer window. At this moment in time, I’d probably say let’s see where we are at the end of the season, and then even six months into next season, too. I think you’ll have a clearer idea then because you can look back at Lewis Hall’s transfer and go: ‘Well that didn’t work initially’, but for me that was always a long-term signing.

“That’s also true of various other players we’ve signed through the years – Anthony Gordon also took time to become the player that he is now. Patience is needed, although it’s a rare commodity these days with transfers. I understand that with the outlay, people will go, ‘You shouldn’t need patience and understanding’. But I’d say with most transfers these days, I think there has to be an element of that.” PA Media

3. Iraola says performances not transfers are key

Andoni Iraola rejected suggestions the club’s January transfer window will have any bearing on his future at Bournemouth with his contract due to expire in the summer. The Cherries lost Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City last month but brought in Alex Toth, Rayan and Ademide Solanke as well as goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Christos Mandas.

With the club continuing to build a young core, Iraola was asked before Saturday’s match against Aston Villa if they would make it more difficult for him to potentially walk away in the summer. “You are making it sound like I am like almost testing the club, sign very good players so I can stay,” Iraola said in response.

“And from my side, it’s not like this. I think I try to help the club to sign the better players we can. And we’ve tried to do this in the winter market. Some players we haven’t been able to sign, others yes, like in every market. And now the market is not the important thing for me. The important thing is the performances, how we build a team, how we play games, how we can continue getting points. And this is the substantial part.” PA Media