Not happy: Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has fired a shot at Manchester City’s hierarchy over the club’s transfer spending, complaining that he he does not “understand how” they have not spent more money.
It comes a day after the winter transfer window slammed shut, with City securing the £20million signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace earlier in the window, as well as the £64m arrival of Antoine Semenyo at the very start of January.
In the summer, City brought in a whole host of new players, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford and young midfielder Sverre Nypan all signed.
However, ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Newcastle on Wednesday, Guardiola complained to reporters about his side’s transfer business.
The Spaniard was asked how much credit sporting director Hugo Viana deserved for landing Semenyo and Guehi in January, with Guardiola replying: “Really good.”
He continued: “I am a little bit sad and upset because the net spent the last five years, we are seventh in the Premier League.
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“I want to be the first. I don't understand how the club don't spend more money so I am a little bit grumpy with them.
"But with the position like we were in the past, because we spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Champions League and Premier Leagues and FA Cups because they have spent more in the last five years.
"This is a fact. You can say opinions like 'you played good' or 'you played bad' - we can agree or disagree but those are facts.
"Good luck to the six teams that are in front of us in net spend over the last five years. Good luck, we are waiting.”
Guardiola also oversaw a mass exodus of stars in the summer, with Jack Grealish, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji among the high-profile departures.
Kyle Walker was allowed to leave in a cut-price deal while a plethora of young stars were farmed out on loan.
City spent £152m last summer, ranking seventh for the close-season window net-spenders with £99m.
Arsenal topped the table with £246m, while Liverpool’s £228m had them second.
Manchester United were next with £148m, with Tottenham fourth with £145m.
Sunderland and Everton completed the top six ahead of City.