“Nobody Cares!” – Pep Guardiola Recalls Initial Advice As Manchester City Boss Following Liverpool’s Historic Victory

On Sunday, Liverpool defeated Chelsea to win the 2024 EFL Carabao Cup. A decisive late header from Virgil van Dijk in extra time saw the Reds lift their 10th title. While the soccer community exploded in celebration of Jurgen Klopp and Co.’s triumph, Pep Guardiola dropped a huge bombshell statement. During his early days at Manchester City, he asserted that someone once told him winning the Carabao Cup ‘doesn’t matter.’

The bold revelation came in his recent press conference ahead of their FA Cup 5th round against Luton Town. Interestingly, Merseyside’s historic EFL win became a topic of discussion as the Manchester City boss acknowledged watching the ‘incredible‘ final. While congratulating both sides, he delved into an instance involving his former assistant coach, Brian Kidd, who made some significant claims about the Carabao Cup. 

“I remember when I arrived, Brian Kidd told me, ‘Carabao Cup? Don’t pay attention. Play the young players.’ Nobody cares,” said Pep Guardiola. Interestingly, this wasn’t the only time he got such candid advice over the domestic tournament. 

“Sir Alex Ferguson always [said] ‘It doesn’t matter.’ I don’t know what happened last year. It was like the final, [and] I don’t know which competition [we were in]. That’s the truth,” added Guardiola. Notably, the 2017/18 Carabao Cup was the first trophy that Guardiola won as Manchester City’s boss. His side went on to dominate the competition by winning it 4 consecutive times. However, the Sky Blues haven’t reached the final since 2021, as this season they were knocked out by Newcastle United in the 3rd round. Did winning it 4 consecutive times make it boring for Guardiola? 

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s excitement to win the Carabao Cup faded

Manchester United had ended their six-year silverware exile to lift the 2022–23 Carabao Cup. The Red Devils, under Erik ten Hag, defeated Newcastle United 2-0. However, Pep Guardiola underscored City’s dominance over their rivals by revealing that while his side was excited to win the Carabao Cup in his first season as the City boss, that excitement waned in subsequent seasons.

“The fourth time we travelled there to win the Carabao Cup for the fourth time in a row, it was, ‘Well, it’s OK, another one, another day in the office’,” said Guardiola, in a press conference earlier. Perhaps he isn’t keen on the idea of winning the Carabao Cup, as he must be focused on much more significant trophies like the Premier League or the Champions League. It’s evident from what he asserted above, following Liverpool’s win. 

READ MORE: “I Was Messing” – Pep Guardiola’s Brutal Reality Check Forces Journalist to Break Silence on ‘Unfunny’ Banter With Manchester City Boss