Manchester City supporters are not happy that their coach, Pep Guardiola urged for more fans for the Premier League game against Southampton. The Premier League game will kick off at 15:00 on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Etihad Stadium.
Recall that after Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 6-3 on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola called for more Manchester City fans to show up for their next game which is against Southampton.
He was inspired to make such a comment during the Champions League post-match press conference because only 38,000 Manchester City fans out of their 55,000 available seats showed up for the game.
Pep Guardiola believes that he would need more fans at the stadium for the Saturday game because his team would be very tired since they played on Wednesday, less than three days before the Premier League game.
Guardiola said: “I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday.
“We will need the people next Saturday, please, because we will be tired. I invite all our people to come next Saturday, 3 pm, and watch the game.”
Since the Spanish coach made this statement, fans of the opposing team have been making jest of the club. Most of the opposing fans have been referring to the Etihad Stadium as ‘Emptyhad’ which is very offensive to the official supporters of Manchester City.
In reaction to Pep Guardiola’s statement, the general secretary of Manchester City’s official supporters’ club Kevin Parker has urged the Spanish tactician to stick to coaching.
Parker noted some fans of the club did not show up for the Champions League game because of the timing of the game and the economic challenges of the supporters.
He also noted that the fans’ turn out for Premier League games which usually take place during weekends and the day should not be compared to games that usually take place at night and during weekdays.
The general secretary said: “[What he said] did surprise me. I’m not sure what that’s got to do with him. He doesn’t understand the difficulties that some people might have got to a game at the Etihad on a Wednesday at 8 pm.
“They’ve got kids to think of, they might not be able to afford it, [and] there are still some Covid issues about. I don’t see why he comments on it.
“He’s absolutely the best coach in the world but, in the nicest possible way, I think maybe he should stick to that.
“It just takes the edge off what was a good night. People are talking more about Pep’s comments than a fantastic game. To question the support, which is effectively what he is doing, is disappointing and uncalled for.
“It does also play into the hands of supporters from other teams who want to take every opportunity to have a go at City for what they think are the poor attendances.
“People refer to the Etihad as the ‘Emptyhad’. It’s a little bit of fun by the opposition supporters but there’s no justification for it. It’s not factual. Our attendances are generally excellent
“Of course he would want a full house but I don’t know why he would question whether we’d have one against Southampton on Saturday. It is a different scenario.
“We have played two Saturday home games and the stadium – from a City perspective at least, Norwich didn’t sell their full allocation – was full on both occasions.
“I don’t think anybody anywhere within the club should be questioning the loyalty of the supporters. It is frustrating.”
"I'd like more people to come on Saturday, we need the people."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 16, 2021
"I invite all our people to come Saturday, 3 pm, to watch the game."
A rallying cry from Pep Guardiola… pic.twitter.com/TJFd2zDHN4
