Erling Haaland & Pep Guardiola address the media ahead of A.C. Milan match

ORANGEBURG, NY– Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola along with forward Erling Haaland addressed the media ahead of Manchester City’s International Friendly matchup versus A.C. Milan.

Erling Haaland began the press conference with a question asked regarding the European Championship and his time spent in the offseason away from football.

Erling stated, “Of course I would love to play in the Euros and hopefully one day I will be able to do that but again, I had my longest break since 2017, so that was quite nice. My body is fully rested and ready for a new season.

He further went on to talk about needing a break from football. He stated, “I needed it. I was quite tired and it’s going to be a long season.”

The Norweigan forward, who fell in European Qualifiers, had the entire summer off. He stated that he didn’t watch a lot of the European Championship and added that “There’s enough football in my life… I watched a few games but not a lot.”

Haaland was then asked regarding a goal of his for this season and things that he would like to improve overall. His main goal? Being a better version of himself.

“Yeah a lot of things. Try to become a better version of myself both on the pitch and off the pitch. There’s so many things I can become better on and I’m working on that and hopefully I will become a better footballer and a better human this season.”, stated Haaland. He later went on two comment that the Haaland now is better at everything than the Haaland that walked in the door two years ago

The forward then was asked whether or not injuries effected his rhythm last season and how they affected him.

Erling stated, “When you’re injured for over two months, you lose rhythm, you lose sharpness and everything you built up for. It was tough, it was hard, it’s not easy.. We also noticed how tired people were in the Euros. You could see in the level, in the faces, on how tired they were of football. I think it’ll be that way this season, not at the start, well maybe for some, but that’s the way we’re going. It’s difficult to be sharp when playing 70 games a year.”

Erling #Haaland on wearing the captain’s armband:

“Yeah of course it’s a proud moment for me — I think we have many leaders in this team — There’s only one that wears the band but there’s many leaders on the pitch in different ways — Yeah of course, proud moment. “… pic.twitter.com/OKGeRf5orn

— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 26, 2024

I then had the priviledge to ask how it felt to lead Manchester City in a first-team match. Haaland wore the captain’s armband for the first time in a 4-3 loss versus Celtic FC in South Carolina, just two days ago. Haaland scored during the match.

“Yeah, of course, it’s a proud moment for me. I think we’ve got many leaders in this team. There’s only one wearing the band, but, there’s many leaders on the whole pitch in many ways. It’s a proud moment. ”

The forward closed his portion of conference by commenting on playing on Yankee Stadium. He stated that he hopes he feels good and will enjoy it.

Moments later, head coach Pep Guardiola entered the room and began his portion of the conference.

He was immediately greeted and was asked on the reception that he received and how he feels about the city of New York.

Pep began comically by stating, “Wow, the city is so cheap!” which gathered laughter throughout the members of the media. Pep then went on to say, “Oh my god, why is everything so expensive here. Yeah, people treat us really well, Central Park, holidays, lots of people, they were really fine, and New York is always a pleasure.”.

Pep then was asked whether or not he can disconnect from football when away on holidays. Pep stated, “Yes. I can disconnect. Of Course, the euros were on, but, I can disconnect.”

Building on re-newing the hunger on the squad, Pep commented that the team talks and said that he knows his players and they won’t disappoint him.

Pep built by saying it’s normal for team’s to want to beat City. 6 titles in 7 years will do that to teams.

Pep then was then asked a question regarding Erling Haaland saying he was tired at times of last season and how he would manage a player like that.

“He has to rest. More. If he’s tired, go to bed early, eat better, and he will be ready. Focus 24 hours with football and he will be ready. He will not be tired. Tired is always an excuse. So I push him to be more focused and the way that my staff operates, he can be ready.”

He then added that Erling has rested and can be perfect. He noted that Rodri was still on holiday so that he can rest due to his long season.

Pep then added that he has zero intentions of adding anyone else to the squad after the addition of Savinho.

“I wish from the bottom of my heart that Ederson stays with us. I cannot imagine our process of success without him. He’s an important figure and hopefully it would be a good sign for us. If no one leaves, we’ll stay like we are.”

He then added that no players will be joining the squad late on the USA Tour. Pep noted that he has no intention of rushing players back to playing.

“Come back when you are fine. When you want to come back. When you have a desire to touch the ball again. If you don’t feel it, stay at home. It is so long. I expect everyone back a few days before or after the community shield. We have to rest them.”

Pep then stated that he would love to be in-charge of Manchester City during the Club World Cup next summer in the United States.

🚨🔵 Pep Guardiola: “I am NOT ruling out absolutely that I sign a new contract at City”.

“I said I am closer to leaving than leaving City… but I did not say I am leaving City!”.

“I want to be sure it’s the right decision not just for me but for the players”, says via @SamLee. pic.twitter.com/IX9wv5oDtg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2024

He then went on to shutdown rumors of leaving the club and his comments at the end of last season where he stated that he is closer to leaving than staying at Manchester City.

Pep stated, “I know I maybe was not correct to say that after winning the Premier League. But I’ve been saying I’ve been at City for 8 years, I am not staying for 8 more years. That’s why I’m more closer to leaving to staying. But I did not say I’m leaving. When I’m leaving, I’ll say I’m leaving.”

“I spoke with the club, we’ll see what happens, but I will not rule out absolutely to extend the contract. I would love to stay, I want to see my players. 9 years today with the same club is an eternity and I want to make sure its the right decision, not just for me, for the club, for the players. It doesn’t matter the competition and the tournaments. — we still have success, still winning Premier Leagues, still arriving in latter stages in Champions League, so these are my feelings right now.”

He adds that he has not put a time-limit on his decision and he’ll speak with the sporting director, chairman, and CEO before making any decision.”

He concluded with a question regarding potentially leading a team in an International Competition and stated that it is something that he would like to do in the future.

 

English side Manchester City take on Italian side A.C. Milan in an International Friendly. The match will kickoff at Yankee Stadium at 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, July 27th. For more International Friendlies, you can find them on ESPN or ESPN+.