Pep Guardiola (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howeplaceholder image
Pep Guardiola (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe | Getty Images
Newcastle United’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City this weekend kicks off at 8pm - and Pep Guardiola is not happy.
Pep Guardiola has complained about the 8pm kick-off time for Newcastle United vs Manchester City this weekend.
The two clubs face Manchester United and respectively on Wednesday but that has not stopped Guardiola from whinging about the hectic schedule. For the first time since moving to England in 2016, fans and journalists have noticed a shift in the Spaniard’s mood.
Guardiola rarely pointed the finger elsewhere after defeats and never complained about the fixture list. However, the 55-year-old has often cut a frustrated figure this summer, leading to reports claiming he could step down at the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola slams Newcastle United kick-off time
Speaking before Man City travel to St James' Park for the third time this season, Guardiola hit out at the 8pm kick-off slot. He believes the timing puts his team at a disadvantage for their game with Real Madrid the following Wednesday.
“It’s different arriving at 7pm or 8pm in Manchester to recover than arriving at 1am or 2am,” Guardiola said. “It’s different. For Newcastle it was different when they came (to the Etihad Stadium) from Qarabag in the Champions League, playing at 3pm or playing at 8pm – it’s different! So it is what it is.
“I know all the teams in the FA Cup play at 3pm, okay we’ll play at 8pm. Fatigue, little details, make a difference, like a corner, like a free-kick, like a throw-in, details. We have less (time), and after that, arriving at that time, recovery, and we have to travel again (to Madrid). So it is what it is.”
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Eddie Howe cracks Man City joke
Ahead of the Champions League draw last Friday, Howe joked that he was glad Newcastle could not face Man City. Ultimately, the Magpies pulled La Liga leaders Barcelona out of the hat.
"It's really special, really positive for us. (I’m) just grateful we can't get Man City. We're looking forward to what the draw brings and the games when they come round. I'm sure we'll hear about it on the training ground but we'll be focusing on tomorrow's game."
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