“My job is here, their job is there”- Pep Guardiola compares himself to Gary Neville and Salford City’s ownership

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola shared he is happy to leave the worlds of punditry and club ownership to the likes of Gary Neville.

The Cityzens will welcome the former Manchester United players and Class of 92 to the Etihad as the Ammies have reached the FA Cup third round.

The Class of 92, who owns the League Two outfit have carved out successful careers in football punditry and business since retiring.

Whilst Guardiola, a retired Barcelona and Roma player has focused on remaining in football through the means of management, finding success with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Throughout his managerial career he has found a lot of success, and shared he has no desire to leave the technical area for the studio.

Guardiola said: “I have been busy as a manager so I still have a job,” he said. “I don’t think I’m going to do that.

“I am cautious. I don’t (want to) make a comment that could hurt my colleagues. I know how difficult this job is. I don’t want to pretend.

“I was a football player before, now a manager and our business is so complicated and so unpredictable, I don’t want to hurt my colleagues and be in a position to do it.”

However, Guardiola made sure to mention that it could be something for the future, but added: “Honestly, I don’t think so.”

Throughout the press conference Guardiola insisted he never had any issues with pundits who may have criticised him.

“That’s their job, it’s normal,” when asked about Neville at his pre-match press conference. “It’s boring if they just say obvious things.

“But normally I quite agree with what they say and I’m not joking.

“We can agree, we can disagree. My job is here, their job is there. It’s fine.”

The Manchester City manager has won 18 trophies since arriving at the club almost 10 year ago – including two FA Cups.

He continued: “I’ve said many times if you don’t like to listen to what they say, dedicate (yourself) to another job. Don’t be a manager.”

However, during the same period of Guardiola’s Manchester City reign the Salford have risen through the non-League ranks following the take over by the Class of 92, Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham.

And after five years in League Two, they now want to push on again and currently sit third in the table and chasing promotion.

Guardiola is impressed by their ambition but, again, does not see running a club as a challenge for him.

“I’m not good on that,” he said. “I’m sometimes a good manager but as a businessman, I’m not good. I’m not interested.”

Guardiola’s focus is on ensuring City, who have emerged from a rocky spell at the end of 2024 with their first back-to-back wins since October, reach the fourth round.

He said: “We take it seriously, as we always have done since I arrived. Hopefully we can do a good game and make it three victories in a row. It has been a long time.”