Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final
Pep Guardiola has suffered a trophy-less season for only the second time in his managerial career (Photo: Getty)
Pep Guardiola was the target of Arsenal fans after the Manchester City boss echoed Mikel Arteta’s claim that the Community Shield counts as a major trophy.
For only the second season in his managerial career, and the first since his debut campaign at the Etihad, Guardiola has failed to win a major trophy.
City conceded the Premier League title to Liverpool, suffered early exits in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, before shockingly losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It could yet get worse as the Citizens are outside the top five and at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2011, though they do have a game in hand over Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Bournemouth, Guardiola appeared to try and throw shade at his rivals over their lack of silverware, saying: ‘Of course it’s important to qualify [for the Champions League].
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‘But for other teams like… except Newcastle who won the Carabao Cup, Liverpool won the Premier League and Manchester City won the Community Shield. The other teams didn’t win trophies.
‘So when the other teams like Chelsea… of course Chelsea can win one title [Conference League] and of course Tottenham and Manchester United can win the Europa League.
Manchester United v Manchester City - 2024 FA Community Shield
Man City won the Community Shield in August (Photo: Getty)
‘All other teams they are expecting to qualify for Champions League. It is important for any club to play this competition next year.’
If it was an attempt at a dig, it didn’t work as most rival clubs have won or are about to win domestic or European titles – as Guardiola correctly points out,
But it was the Spaniard’s reference to City’s Community Shield victory over United in August that irked fans, especially Arsenal supporters after Arteta was previously mocked for claiming that it counts as a major trophy.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final
Crystal Palace beat Man City in the FA Cup final (Photo: Getty)
Back in December, the Gunners boss tried to defend his trophy record by saying: ‘We won the Charity Shield twice, no? So we’ve won three trophies.’
‘So the Community shield is a trophy…..When we win it it’s classed as nothing….’ one Arsenal fan pointed out on Twitter.
‘Ironic how the Community Shield is a trophy for everyone apart from when Arsenal win it,’ one fan concurred, while another added: ‘The Community Shield is a friendly. It isn’t a trophy.’
Is the Community Shield a major trophy?
One supporter said: ‘Pep Guardiola comparing winning the Premier League and the FA Cup to winning the Community Shield was not on my bingo card for today. What an absolute idiot.’
‘You’ve talked community shield down, but when it’s the only thing you win, it’s suddenly important Your time is up, move on my friend,’ another disgruntled fan posted.
Next season’s Community Shield will see Premier League champions Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Palace, while City and Guardiola could still win this summer’s revamped Club World Cup.
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