White was ‘very brave’ to turn down England under Southgate, says Arteta
Video credit: SNTV
Pep Guardiola has responded to criticism from former England manager Fabio Capello, insisting that his sides have had a positive impact on the quality of the Premier League.
Guardiola played under Capello during a brief and unsuccessful spell at Roma between 2002 and 2003.
The Spaniard struck back with a series of comments about the former AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus manager.
"I listen to everything that people say about me, so be careful," he said.
"It's not the first time Mr Fabio Capello has said that.
"I'm not good enough to ruin Italian football. A big hug to Fabio. A big hug.
Guardiola likens Haaland to Messi – ‘The numbers are unbelievable’
Video credit: SNTV
"I don't want to pretend to be, and naming again one of the big managers, one of the exceptional managers in Fabio Capello, and look arrogant, but we helped raise the bar in the Premier League."
City's 1-0 defeat against Forest last weekend was the latest bump in a rocky season for the Premier League champions.
They are currently fifth in the table, level on points with Newcastle United in sixth, and two points behind Chelsea in fourth with 10 games remaining.
The race for a UEFA Champions League place is tight, with the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Bournemouth still in the hunt at this late stage of the campaign.
Guardiola, who has won the Champions League three times as a manager, highlighted Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham as examples of the increased competitiveness of the Premier League since he arrived at The Etihad in 2016.
"Teams had to go to the markets and that helps people," he added.
"People want to do good, people are well organised, have good structures, good decisions, good players everywhere.
"I've been here when I went to Bournemouth in the beginning, and now it's different.
"And when I went in the beginning in Brighton, and now it's different.
"And when I went in Fulham in the beginning, and now it's different.
"I'm an old guy, I'm the oldest manager here, nine years.
"So I know the evolution of the Premier League has been massive."
Watch the 2024/25 Premier League season on TNT Sports and [discovery+](https://get.discoveryplus.com/gb/watch-tnt-sports-on-discoveryplus?utm_campaign=UK-TNT-D1-TNT-C7-TNT-BAU-DR-W-Football-PremierLeague-250101-NA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tntsports.co.uk&utm_content=story-content-text-subscribe)