Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has opened up about his relationship with manager Pep Guardiola, shedding light on the demanding nature of the Spaniard’s coaching style during a Children’s Day event in Brazil.
Ederson, who has been at City since 2017 and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, praised Guardiola’s leadership but admitted that working under him isn’t always easy. “He can be sometimes annoying,” the 31-year-old Brazilian revealed, reflecting on Guardiola’s high expectations and relentless drive for success.
Under Guardiola, Ederson has enjoyed immense success, collecting six Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League trophy. Now, with the team aiming for a historic fifth consecutive Premier League crown, the goalkeeper offered a candid perspective on the balance Guardiola strikes between being demanding and supportive.
When asked by a child whether Guardiola is “nice, annoying, or angry,” Ederson humorously replied, “You’re going to get me in trouble!” before adding, “He’s all three. He’s a nice guy, but he can be annoying when he’s demanding, and angry when things don’t go well.”
He further elaborated, “Off the pitch, he’s great, but on the pitch, he’s incredibly demanding. And like any coach, he gets frustrated when the team isn’t performing at its best. We understand that we can’t always play 70 brilliant games in a season. Sometimes there’s a dip.”
Earlier this year, Ederson was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with lucrative offers on the table that made his exit from Manchester City seem possible. However, Guardiola and the club were determined to hold onto their star goalkeeper, placing a high value on his contribution to the team.
Reflecting on the interest, Guardiola admitted he was relieved Ederson stayed. “Yes, of course, it was a concern,” Guardiola said. “Ederson is a key figure in our squad. We’re fortunate that it didn’t happen, and I’m glad he’s happy here. From day one, we made it clear that we didn’t want him to leave.”
While Saudi clubs made a tempting offer, Guardiola explained that City stood firm on their valuation. “For the goalkeeper of a team that’s won four Premier Leagues in a row, there’s a price. If the right offer had come, maybe things would have been different, but Ederson stayed committed to City.”
As City push for another dominant season, Ederson’s loyalty and Guardiola’s demanding style continue to fuel the team’s success.
