Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has directed one of his brand’s backwards compliments on Champions League opponents Borussia Dortmund and insists that their exciting squad has been built through huge payments to agents.
The German side has become a hotbed for young talent, with former City Starlet Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland three of the brightest prospects in the books at Signal Iduna Park.
Haaland is the city’s main destination | Lars Baron / Getty Images
City have been strongly linked to a move for Haaland, represented by the infamous Mino Raiola, and Guardiola was too happy to discuss how Dortmund’s talent comes from their agent fees.
“If anyone in Manchester knows Borussia Dortmund, it’s me,” said Guardiola (via Manchester Evening News). “The club’s culture, how they play and I will not find a single player from Borussia Dortmund without quality.
“They spend a lot of money on young players and pay a lot of money to agents to get these players there because they have an incredible quality. Incredible.
Guardiola & Raiola are not exactly friends | Stefano Guidi / Getty Images
“Maybe this season they did not find the consistency in the Bundesliga to win every week but for two [knockout] games, they can do anything. ”
Guardiola will have known what he was doing. The Spaniard does not exactly see face to face with Raiola, who recently admitted that he thinks the City boss feels threatened by him.
“As for Mr Guardiola, I closed the book a long time ago,” he said. “Everyone knows what I think of him personally and he can say what he thinks of me personally. By the way, I think he is a good coach. And so it is. I will not shut up to anyone. I’ll give my opinion, I think it’s my right.
Guardiola has indicated that a move for Haaland is off the table | Pool / Getty Images
“With Mr. [Sir Alex] Ferguson or Guardiola, I have this problem – and I think it’s changing now – that [they believe] we should submit to them because “otherwise, tomorrow you will not make a player with Manchester United”. “
City are still expected to try to do business with Raiola this summer as they look to make Haaland the successor to Sergio Aguero’s throne, but there may be one or two bridges that need to be rebuilt first.
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