Pep Guardiola demands personal gift from Premier League broadcasters after Fulham win | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has suggested both he and Marco Silva deserve presents for the contest between Fulham and Manchester City in midweek.

City’s dramatic 4-5 victory at Craven Cottage became one of the standout matches of the Premier League season so far with its end-to-end chaos. The nine-goal reignited discussion around City’s defensive inconsistencies but also the extraordinary entertainment value that fixtures involving Guardiola’s side continue to produce.

The Catalan coach has regularly been vocal about scheduling pressures, commercial obligations, and the physical impact on players during the most intense part of the campaign. Yet with the spectacle delivered in west London, Guardiola opted for a more playful tone ahead of this weekend’s clash, insisting broadcasters should show their gratitude personally.

The comments come as Manchester City face another tight turnaround between games, with attention now shifting to Saturday’s return to Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium against top-flight newcomers and high-flyers Sunderland.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s return to Premier League action, Guardiola had chance to reflect on the nine-goal thriller at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night, suggesting he and his managerial counterpart deserve a present of appreciation.

“If I was at home on the sofa watching, I would not change the channel,” Guardiola told reporters.

He continued, “I’m pretty sure the broadcasters are happy with us. If they have consideration for Marco [Silva] and myself, give me a bottle of wine for all of us! No, I’m not joking… Broadcasters must be happy, might be!”

The Manchester City boss has repeatedly highlighted the demands of the schedule, and his latest joke can be interpreted as a gentle reminder of the pressure broadcasters perhaps place on teams to produce high-intensity, attacking football.

As City prepare for their next outing, focus internally will shift back to performance management particularly after conceding four despite scoring five. Coaching staff could make evaluations around rotation and energy, especially with a congested run of fixtures ahead.

Whether Pep Guardiola receives a token of appreciation from the TV companies remains to be seen, albeit highly unlikely, but what is certain is that Manchester City will remain must-watch television as the Premier League title race continues to heat up this year.