Pep Guardiola brushed off Arne Slot's light-hearted remark about the possibility of Manchester City not playing in the Premier League next season, due to the 115 charges they're contending with.
Slot had quipped: "Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 [charges] so he doesn't expect them to be in the Premier League next season," following Salah's comment about possibly having played his last home match against City.
The Liverpool manager was quick to clarify, insisting: "I do expect them to be in the Premier League. That was a joke! I do repeat: that was a joke."
The financial allegations against City are serious, potentially leading to relegation if proven true, something the club firmly denies.
With a verdict not expected until possibly late 2025 and appeals prolonging the situation, this legal battle is set to cast a shadow over City's future seasons. When confronted with questions regarding the jest, Guardiola simply stated at a press conference, "It was a joke," echoing Slot's clarification. "He said it was a joke, right? It was a joke."
Guardiola has bigger fish to fry, given City are currently on a seven-match winless streak and sit 11 points behind Liverpool in the title race. The City boss has cut a frustrated figure on the touchline over recent weeks and made headlines at Anfield on Sunday when he held up six fingers to the crowd in reference to the number of Premier League titles he has won.
Arne Slot
Arne Slot made a Man City relegation quip in his press conference (Image: Liverpool FC)
Asked whether he had lost his cool, Guardiola said: "We won six, yeah. I was never cool. Do you know why I was cool? Because we won. If you ever win, it's so cool, it's so handsome, it's so nice. When you don't win it's completely the opposite. But it's the same."
Guardiola's actions echoed those of Jose Mourinho, who held three fingers when he was Manchester United manager. That incident was seen as the beginning of the end for Mourinho at United.
"I hope not in my case,' Guardiola said. "Maybe we are similar like Jose, but he won three and I won six! We are together in those situations. It was just to make our fans feel that what we have done is extraordinary. I want to prove that we are an incredible football club. Sooner or later it's going to be the end but I will try to extend as much as possible for the best of my club."