The Sports Bar has officially heard it all now.
Following Feyenoord’s shock 3-3 comeback against Manchester City an incredible claim was made about manager Pep Guardiola.
The legendary Spaniard had just ended a five-game losing run with an equally humbling draw and pressure is now fully upon his shoulders ahead of a trip to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Having only just signed a contract extension, there are some whispers that may not have been the best idea.
However, one fan thinks Guardiola should have called it a day last season, off the back of a four-year title-winning streak.
City fan Anthony told Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara: “We all saw how good Arsene Wenger was but he let his team get older and older – and then they were dropping out of the top four. I don’t want the same thing with Guardiola.
“I said last year we should have looked at [Carlo] Ancelotti and that’s not taking anything away from Pep, he’s the best we could have ever had. Ancelotti is like Fergie [Alex Ferguson] in that he can rebuild team after team.”
Given that Ancelotti is contracted to arguably the biggest club in the world in Real Madrid and Guardiola is the most successful manager of the modern era, it’s fair to say that Cundy and O’Hara were in a state of shock.
“What do you mean look at Ancelotti? He’s not going to City is he?” Cundy said.
“Are you joking me? You’re saying he could have left Real Madrid to go to Manchester City? Your wheels have come off Anthony.
“What are you talking about Anthony? Why are you even talking about looking at a new manager when you won the Premier League last season?”
Anthony wasn’t finished though, saying Ancelotti would have been attracted by City’s superior finances, before adding: “Look at the state of this season now, it’s like what Wenger did, he left an aging team and that’s what we can’t do anymore.
“You can’t sack Pep, he’s unsackable, but you could replace him. End of the season we should look at Ancelotti.
Cundy and O’Hara couldn’t believe what they were hearing[/caption]
“I said it last season we should have done it then because of the aging team just like Wenger. Look at Wenger, he was kept there through loyalty and Arsenal dipped and dipped.
“The difference with Fergie is he kept rebuilding the team and got out when it got tough. When Pep became available Fergie knew it was getting too hot and he got out just in time and that’s what Pep should do now.”
O’Hara then joined in on the disbelief, saying: “What are you going on about? Stop yourself.
“Guardiola built one of the best teams in football history and has won the Premier League four years on the trot and 13 games into this season you’re saying you want to replace him as he’s become Arsene Wenger? What are you going on about?!”