Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has criticized the club’s fans, despite a memorable win against Tottenham.
Home fans booed City, champions of England in four of the last five seasons, at the break.
“Our fans were silent for 45 minutes – I want my fans back,” Guardiola said in a remarkable post-match interview.
“I want my fans here – not my fans away, they are the best – but my fans here to support every turn and every action because Tottenham are one of the toughest opponents I have ever had. confronted.
“They booed because we were losing but in the second half we played well, we had more chances.
“Maybe it’s the same with our team, maybe we’re so comfortable winning four Premier Leagues in five years.”
City had lost their previous two matches – 2-0 to Southampton in the League Cup and 2-1 to Manchester United in the Premier League – and goals from Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal took them 2-0 behind.
But goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland and two from Riyad Mahrez gave City the win.
However, Guardiola was furious with his team and questioned their commitment and character.
“There is nothing stomach, guts, and we were lucky but if we don’t change we will lose points,” he added in an interview with Sky Sports.
“We need to prepare better, I can’t deny how happy we are but we are far from the team we were.
“We gave them the first goal and then the second goal is ridiculous.”
Asked what was missing, the Spaniard replied: “The passion, the fire and the desire to want to win from the first minute.”
