This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been vocal about the Premier League's demanding schedule, particularly during the festive period. In a letter to the Premier League, he expressed his gratitude for the challenging schedule, which includes two matches in less than 48 hours.
Guardiola's team, who trail league leaders Liverpool by 11 points, will face Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday and then host Sheffield United on Sunday. The manager has stated that this leaves his players with little recovery time.
“I wrote to the Premier League to say thank you and we’re going to the fridge after Wolves to get ready for Sheffield United,” Guardiola said in a sarcastic tone, as reported by reporters.
Guardiola also expressed his team's chances of retaining the league title, stating that it was “unrealistic” given their current position. However, he emphasized that they would continue to chase unbeaten Liverpool.
City have 38 points from 18 games, having played one match more than Liverpool, who won the Club World Cup in Doha on Saturday.
“When a team has 16 (league) victories from 17, it’s unrealistic to think we’re going to chase them,” Guardiola added.
“It’s unrealistic right now. We have to try to win our games, secure Champions League for next season and then you never know,” he concluded.
