Pep Guardiola responds to Erling Haaland’s suggestion that Manchester City have lacked ‘hunger’

LONDON – Manager Pep Guardiola responded to Erling Haaland’s comments that the Manchester City’s drop-off this season may be due to a lack of “hunger” by suggesting that his “players should talk to each other and ask themselves why”.

City had won the past four English Premier League crowns, as well as the treble in 2022-23, but failed to mount a serious title defence as Liverpool romped home to their 20th English top flight trophy with games to spare.

Haaland, who has been out with an ankle injury sustained in March, had told ESPN: “Of course, you can find excuses, injuries, many injuries at bad times, but in the end we haven’t been performing well enough.

“We haven’t had fully the hunger inside of us. I haven’t been good enough. I haven’t helped the team enough. In the end, we haven’t been good enough.”

When asked about those comments ahead of City’s league trip to bottom-placed Southampton on May 10, Guardiola said on May 9: “If it’s a feeling for Erling, the players should talk to each other and ask themselves why.

“We can do better. We’re happy for the results we have but the situation is we have to sustain it for many, many months. It’s just been for three or four weeks.”

After previously looking in danger of not qualifying for next season’s Champions League, City have seen an upturn in fortunes, moving up to third in the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup final for the third season running.

There is more good news for City after Guardiola revealed Haaland is in contention to start against the Saints after the Norwegian recovered from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for nearly six weeks.

With 21 Premier League goals, Haaland was a contender for the Golden Boot award but has slipped to third behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (28) and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (23).

“(Haaland) is ready, he’s fit. If he starts, we decide (on May 10),” Guardiola told reporters.

“Still Rodri is not available. Oscar (Bobb) and Nathan (Ake) started training with us but still not available.”

Southampton have just 11 points and still need one more from their last three matches to avoid matching the worst ever Premier League total, set by Derby in 2007-08.

Following City’s visit to St Mary’s, the Saints face Everton in the last competitive fixture at Goodison Park before hosting second-placed Arsenal.

Even if Saints, beaten at second-bottom Leicester City last weekend, are unable to avoid an unwanted share of the ignominious record low points total, interim manager Simon Rusk wants them to go down with pride.

“It’s important we don’t move in to fear territory in these games and instead we put our best foot forward,” he said.

“We want to finish the season on a high and build momentum. It’s a chance to end the season with as much dignity as possible.”

Meanwhile, Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on May 9 after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title.

Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020.

The 32-year-old secured almost 90 per cent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century.

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.

Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times.

Alessia Russo became the second Arsenal player to land the women’s award as the striker finished ahead of 2024 winner Khadija Shaw. AFP, REUTERS