Pep Guardiola playfully aimed a dig at Manchester United, suggesting that if Omar Berrada succeeds in revitalizing their fortunes, City’s bitter rivals should consider naming a stand after him.
Berrada recently left his position as Manchester City’s chief football operations officer to take on the role of chief executive at United.
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This move is seen as a significant coup for United, given Berrada’s instrumental role in City’s remarkable success under Guardiola, including five out of the last six Premier League titles and an iconic treble last season.
Berrada, in collaboration with City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain, played a key part in shaping their successful transfer policy—a domain in which United has faced challenges in recent years.
Jim Ratcliffe, United’s new minority shareholder, envisions Berrada employing a similar blueprint to rejuvenate the Old Trafford club, which hasn’t clinched the Premier League title since 2013.
However, Guardiola cautions that success is not an immediate guarantee despite Berrada’s expertise.
“Obviously his knowledge goes to United, that’s the reality. When you buy a player from another club you buy the knowledge that this player has had in the past with other managers and team-mates. That is normal,” Guardiola told reporters on Thursday.
“We learned a lot from Omar and he’s learned a lot from the club, and now he’s gone to United.
“But Kevin De Bruyne is still in Man City, De Bruyne will play here. Erling Haaland will play here, so in the end it’s not that simple. Otherwise, with the power of United, they would have done it before.
“Maybe United think with this person everything is going to change, congratulations. I don’t know if this is going to happen.
“He is a lovely person, an incredible character, incredible professional. Yesterday I saw him, we hugged and I wished him all the best. Deeply, I wish him the best because he’s a fantastic person.
“But I don’t know if by doing this everything is going to be sorted and it works.
“If it does happen then, oh my God, they have to make a stand for Omar Berrada in the future because he’d deserve it.”
Guardiola insists there are no hard feelings over Berrada’s exit and is confident Man City will appoint wisely when it comes to naming his successor.
“We try to keep the best people here but this kind of thing can happen,” he said.
“The club will move forward. We’ll find a way to replace him and we’ll continue. We will be well prepared, we will adapt and adjust and move forward.”
