Pep Guardiola Proposes Ending Trophy Bonuses for Manchester City Stars
Pep Guardiola, the renowned manager of Manchester City, has recently suggested that the club should reconsider its policy on trophy bonuses, stating that his players “don’t deserve even a watch” for their performance this season. This statement comes in light of a series of ups and downs for the team, including a touchline ban following his booking in a tense match against Bournemouth.
In that match, Guardiola’s tactical prowess was on display as he orchestrated a remarkable comeback after his team fell behind 1-0 at halftime. The game saw standout performances from Erling Haaland and substitute Omar Marmoush, who both found the back of the net to secure a vital victory. However, the win secured Manchester City a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, where they are set to face Nottingham Forest, aiming for a chance to appear in their third consecutive final.
This season marks a historic seventh consecutive semi-final for Guardiola’s squad, demonstrating their consistency in cup competitions. However, the match against Bournemouth was not without its controversies. Referee Stuart Atwell issued a yellow card to Guardiola for dissent during the second half, which arose from a heated moment when Haaland went down injured after a challenge from Lewis Cook. Despite Haaland signaling for a substitution, Bournemouth continued to play, leading to a confrontation between Kevin De Bruyne and Cook, while Guardiola made his displeasure unmistakably clear.
As a result of this latest booking, Guardiola will be absent from the touchline for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League clash against Leicester City on Wednesday. Furthermore, the team is likely to face the challenge of playing without their star striker, Haaland, who was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium in a protective boot and on crutches, raising concerns over his fitness. When asked about the severity of Haaland’s injury, Guardiola remarked, “I don’t know yet. I saw him on the massage table, but I didn’t speak with him or the doctors. We will have to see.”
Haaland, who has already netted an impressive 30 goals in all competitions this season, had previously missed two games due to a knee injury earlier in the campaign, but has otherwise been in sensational form. Looking ahead, Manchester City is set to participate in the revamped Club World Cup this summer, with Guardiola eager to move past a challenging 2024/25 season.
However, the manager’s remarks regarding bonuses highlight his concern over the team’s performance in the Premier League, stating, “We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much. You go there, (winning) it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players—we don’t deserve, not even a watch.”