Presenter Richard Keys was extremely critical of Pep Guardiola after Manchester City drew 1-1 to Liverpool on Sunday.
The 66-year-old felt the City boss was “rude” to beIN SPORTS reporter, Andy Kerr during his post-match interview after his side’s second draw of the season against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
In addition, the fact that Pep Guardiola was giving one-word answers during his conversation with the report rubbed Richard Keys the wrong way.
Richard Keys slams “rude” Pep Guardiola and calls him a “disgrace”
On his official website, Richard Keys did not hold back in his criticism of Pep Guardiola after Manchester City and Liverpool played out yet another classic contest.
“Everyone gave everything they’d got – except for Pep Guardiola post-match again. What is it with this guy? Guardiola was just plain rude to our reporter – the excellent Andy Kerr. If I’d been Kerr I’d have shut the interview down and walked away. And I told him as much afterwards”, he said.
Keys added, “Guardiola was a disgrace. He couldn’t be bothered. He offered nothing – just one-word answers and a daft smile.”
“He did the same last week. In fact – he does the same most weeks. I’m told he was just as dismissive to my mate Jan Fjortoft but I haven’t spoken to Jan so I’m not certain.”
It seems like Richard Keys was also offended by Pep Guardiola making a recent tongue-in-cheek remark about how his life as a manager is better than that of journalists [via BeanymanSports] due to how much praise he gets.
“Guardiola only talks to journos because he’s contracted to do so. He let his feelings about us be known at a press conference last week.”
“But here’s the thing, Senor Guardiola. We’re all trying to do a job – just like you. Nobody, whilst doing that job, deserves to be ridiculed by you. Andy Kerr deserved better Sunday, not because you have a contractual obligation to speak to him but because you have a moral obligation to treat him and others with manners and respect.”
“Andy is talking to you as a conduit between you and your supporters – and there are more of them in our broadcast area than anywhere else in the world.”
Richard Keys also stated that he is uninterested in Pep Guardiola being interviewed by beIN SPORTS.
“I’ve suggested to my bosses that we should simply ignore you unless you come down off your high horse and behave. Sadly, that won’t happen. But it should.”
“I could understand Guardiola’s attitude a little more if the pen [penalty] had been given. If City had been beaten. If frustration had got the better of him but none of those things applied.”
“When I watch him, Guardiola gives me the impression that nobody has a right to ask him questions, because none of us has the same lofty genius that he clearly believes elevates him above everybody else. He might be right but, as my old mum used to say, good manners cost nothing.”
It’s safe to claim that Keys was fuming with Guardiola’s behaviour.
Extremely inappropriate to make such remarks about Pep Guardiola
In our view, Richard Keys has overstepped the mark by making such comments about Pep Guardiola.
For Keys to assume that Guardiola was not disappointed just because City took a point at Anfield is absurd.
In addition, managers like the Spaniard have to give a number of post-match interviews and as a result, perhaps he was tired of repeating his assessment of the contest time and time again.
If anything, Pep Guardiola is known to be quite humble and interesting to listen to whenever he is asked questions in the press.
The two-time treble-winner is one of the few managers who has a tendency to delve into the reasons behind his tactical decisions, explain how he profiles players and also be extremely complimentary towards other clubs.
For instance, the £378,846-a-week man made an interesting revelation about his decision to substitute Kevin De Bruyne as he wished to bring Mateo Kovacic off the bench against Liverpool with the purpose of regaining control during the clash.
But to simply regard Pep Guardiola as “rude” and state that he is on his “high horse” amongst various other such comments is quite inappropriate.
