In early 2026, Pep Guardiola delivered a series of headline-making statements that reflected both the pressure and confidence surrounding Manchester City’s campaign.
During a tense Premier League title race in Februaryas reported by fabrizo Romano via their official x handle, Guardiola made light of the situation by telling his players to “go take caipirinhas, daiquiris… enjoy life!” before refocusing on a crucial clash with Leeds United.
Pep Guardiola said;
“I said to my players: go take caipirinhas, daiquiris… enjoy life! And then, training hard for Leeds game”.
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The message was clear: mentally disconnect, recharge, then prepare for battle. At the time, City were chasing Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, with the title race entering a decisive stretch.
Interestingly, just weeks earlier, Guardiola had described Arsenal as “the best team in the world right now,” pointing to their consistency across domestic and European competitions. His remarks underlined the size of the challenge City faced as they attempted to close the gap.
Off the pitch, Softfootball reported that Guardiola was equally vocal about new signing Marc Guéhi, who joined from Crystal Palace for £20 million in January 2026. The City boss labelled him an “incredible signing for the next many years,” praising his leadership and composure. Guéhi made an instant impact, completing 95 passes on his debut in a 2–0 win over Wolves, quickly adapting to City’s demanding defensive system.
From relaxed dressing-room jokes to bold praise for rivals and new recruits, Guardiola’s early 2026 comments reveal a manager balancing pressure, psychology, and long-term squad building as City fight on multiple fronts.
