Pep Guardiola has hilariously declared that he will always be a failure at Manchester City even if he wins three Champions League titles in a row at the Etihad since his team was once passed over by his longtime idol Julia Roberts. The City manager was upbeat during the unusual and hilarious press conference on Tuesday, which followed his side’s 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig to advance into the Champions League quarterfinals.
Pep Guardiola, during the presser which appeared rather candid, revealed that the ‘Notting Hill’ actress is one of his three idols alongside legendary basketball player Michael Jordan and golfer Tiger Woods. As a result, he claimed he was ‘disappointed’ that she visited his rivals’ home, Old Trafford and not the Etihad. Guardiola was referring to the 2016 incident when Roberts, along with her cinematographer husband Daniel Moder and her three children.
Pep Guardiola insists nothing will heal Roberts ‘disappointment’
Julian Roberts visited Old Trafford in November 2016 when she travelled to England, to watch United play West Ham. The Red Devils were helmed by Jose Mourinho at that time, who had won them a double of Europa League and the EFL Cup that season. However, Roberts wasn’t treated to a perfect game as her team could only manage a 1-1 draw against the Hammers, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelling out Diafra Sakho’s second-minute strike.
However, Pep Guardiola recalled Roberts’ visit to the Theatre of Dreams and claimed that she ‘disappointed’ him by choosing to do so. The Spaniard further complains that Roberts did so at a time when City had enjoyed more success than their local rivals in recent years. Speaking of the incident, Pep Guardiola said:
“I am a failure in the Champions League. If win the Champions League three times in a row I will be a failure. I have three idols in my life. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Julia Roberts. These are my three idols.
“Julia Roberts years ago came to Manchester – not in the 90s when Sir Alex (Ferguson) was winning titles and titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, in these four or five years, right? And she went to visit Man United. She didn’t come to see us. That’s why even if I win the Champions League it will not compare for the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn’t come to see us. Even if I win the Champions League it will not compare to this disappointment I had.”
Roberts apparently had fun at Old Trafford despite her team failing to win and get away with a draw, and Mourinho getting sent-off. The American actress met United legend Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen after the game, as well as former midfielder Michael Carrick, who now in charge as manager of Middlesbrough. Roberts also took her family to the Old Trafford pitch and was candid throughout, clicking pictures of her three children, who too are United fans.
Guardiola is yet to win City the Champions League, but his side is once again the bookies’ favorites this season to finally lift their maiden title. Erling Haaland was in great form as he scored his five goals at the Etihad to notch his fifth hat-trick of the season, while Ilkay his Gundogan and Kevin his Bruyne also scored in the 7–0 win. City’s 8-1 aggregate victory over Leipzig saw them join Bayern Munich, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter and Benfica in the last eight.