General Football
After 17 years at the top, a tough job is taking a toll on Pep Guardiola | Jonathan Wilson
Manchester City manager may still relish a title chase but, as the declines of Mourinho and Wenger prove, nothing lasts for ever
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the interview Pep Guardiola gave to GQ was how tired he sounded. The headlines that he was contemplating a 15-year break from the game didn’t entirely reflect what he said – “I don’t know how long I’ll stop for: a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don’t know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body” – but his weariness was clear.
To an extent it is not a surprise. Jürgen Klopp was exhausted (and self-aware) enough after almost 15 seasons at Dortmund and Liverpool (plus seven at Mainz) to quit last summer. There were times last season, particularly in that four-month spell either side of Christmas when City’s form dipped alarmingly, that Guardiola seemed shattered. By his own admission, his decision last November to sign a contract extension to summer 2027 was motivated in part by guilt at the downturn. “The problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave,” he said. The problems got much worse.
After 17 years at the top, a tough job is taking a toll on Pep Guardiola | Jonathan Wilson
Manchester City manager may still relish a title chase but, as the declines of Mourinho and Wenger prove, nothing lasts for ever
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the interview Pep Guardiola gave to GQ was how tired he sounded. The headlines that he was contemplating a 15-year break from the game didn’t entirely reflect what he said – “I don’t know how long I’ll stop for: a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don’t know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself, on my body” – but his weariness was clear.
To an extent it is not a surprise. Jürgen Klopp was exhausted (and self-aware) enough after almost 15 seasons at Dortmund and Liverpool (plus seven at Mainz) to quit last summer. There were times last season, particularly in that four-month spell either side of Christmas when City’s form dipped alarmingly, that Guardiola seemed shattered. By his own admission, his decision last November to sign a contract extension to summer 2027 was motivated in part by guilt at the downturn. “The problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave,” he said. The problems got much worse.
EFL roundup: Plymouth beaten by 10-man Barnsley in bad-tempered opener
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Huddersfield ease past Orient, youthful Cardiff win
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League Two: Harrogate stun Bristol Rovers at home
Plymouth lost their first game since relegation from the Championship, beaten 3-1 at home by 10-man Barnsley on League One’s opening weekend.
The visitors scored two first-half goals against the run of play as Tom Cleverley’s side dominated, with a series of decisions going against them. Barnsley’s Jack Shepherd – booked in the first half as tempers flared – was then shown a second yellow for handball after an hour, but Argyle could not find a way back into the game, and Davis Keillor-Dunn added the visitors’ third late on.
EFL roundup: Plymouth beaten by 10-man Barnsley in bad-tempered opener
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Huddersfield ease past Orient, youthful Cardiff win
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League Two: Harrogate stun Bristol Rovers at home
Plymouth lost their first game since relegation from the Championship, beaten 3-1 at home by 10-man Barnsley on League One’s opening weekend.
The visitors scored two first-half goals against the run of play as Tom Cleverley’s side dominated, with a series of decisions going against them. Barnsley’s Jack Shepherd – booked in the first half as tempers flared – was then shown a second yellow for handball after an hour, but Argyle could not find a way back into the game, and Davis Keillor-Dunn added the visitors’ third late on.
Huddersfield v Leyton Orient, Bradford v Wycombe and more: football – live
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Clockwatch updates from Saturday’s football action
National League: Forest Green owner Dale Vince is one of the partners in an initiative where GPs can prescribe a day out watching his National League team as an alternative to antidepressants. And while the jokes obviously write themselves, it seems like a very good idea before a ball has been kicked in the current campaign. Eze Obasi reports …
Newport County: David Hughes has a wealth of coaching experience at the highest level but is enjoying his first real tilt at frontline management in his new role as head coach of Newport County, who have one of the tiniest budgets in League Two. Interview: Ben Fisher.
Colwill cracker leads youthful Cardiff back for victory over Peterborough
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Bluebirds recover with second-half double to deny Posh
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Barry-Murphy selects youngest Cardiff team this century
New skipper Rubin Colwill inspired a 2-1 comeback win for Cardiff City over Peterborough. Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands at the Cardiff City Stadium to support his son Darren, who saw his Peterborough team go into the break 1-0 ahead.
New boss Brian Barry-Murphy turned out the youngest team selected by any Cardiff manager this century but saw Posh draw first blood in the 33rd minute when Brad Ihionvien stepped up to coolly convert from the penalty spot after Will Fish had barged Declan Firth in the box.
This roundup will update later on Saturday