Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a surprising defence of sacked Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, labelling him a 'top manager' and suggesting the Red Devils could be 'close' to Premier League leaders Arsenal under slightly altered circumstances.
Guardiola's defence of a rival
Speaking at his first press conference since Amorim's dismissal, the City boss offered a sympathetic view of his former rival's turbulent 14-month tenure at Old Trafford, which ended on Monday, January 5, 2026. Guardiola wished the Portuguese coach 'all the best for the future' and questioned the diminishing time given to modern managers.
"I have nothing but respect for the players and the institutions of Chelsea and Man United," Guardiola stated on Tuesday afternoon. "All I can say is Ruben is a top manager. The decision has been made by our neighbours so I wish him all the best."
He pointed to the parallel dismissal of Chelsea's Enzo Maresca as evidence of a harsh climate, noting: "It is a fact that managers get less time than before. We saw what happened with Enzo as well."
The fine margins in football
Guardiola then made a startling claim about the current state of the Premier League table, arguing that the gap between struggling United and the summit is deceptive. He suggested that with a few different outcomes, the picture could look radically different for the Old Trafford club.
"Man United drew three games at home and their opponents do an incredible job – Everton, Bournemouth," he explained, referencing specific matches. "But with different results they would be close to Arsenal so the differences are sometimes so, so small."
The Catalan manager also cited mitigating factors for United's poor form, which saw them finish a dismal 15th last season and continue to underwhelm this term. "In the last games they also have a lot of absence – players are injured or at AFCON – and it's difficult to cope," he added.
A universal truth about results
Despite his defence of Amorim, Guardiola acknowledged the brutal, results-driven reality of management at the highest level, a reality from which no one is immune.
"There is not a country where you are safe if you don't win games, there are no exceptions," he stated bluntly. "If you don't get results it doesn't matter. Every manager is hired for their ideas and you are sacked for the results. Sometimes you need a process and time."
Amorim's reign was marked by disappointing performances on the pitch and reported growing tensions off it, ultimately leading to his departure after just over a year in charge. Guardiola's public support offers a rare moment of solidarity in a profession often defined by rivalry, while his analysis of the league's fine margins provides a fascinating perspective on the current campaign.
