Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reacted to Erling Haaland’s claim that a lack of “hunger” has hurt the Cityzens during an underachieving season – and praised Xabi Alonso after the Bayer Leverkusen boss announced he is leaving the club.
Top scorer Haaland, who is about to return from an ankle injury that has kept him out since March 30, said City “haven’t had fully the hunger inside of us” during a season in which they fell out of the Premier League title race with a prolonged slump in form and were knocked out of the Champions League in the play-offs for the last 16.
“If that’s Erling’s feeling, the players should talk to each other and ask themselves why,” said Guardiola, adding that Haaland is “ready” to return away to rock-bottom Southampton on Saturday (20:00 BST).
PEP 💬 (On twists and turns in the UCL race) think there are six or seven teams that can qualify. We have to make a lot of points and after, if we make three victories, we will be there.
It is in our hands. We don’t need to wait for anything else. This is what we have to do. Win… pic.twitter.com/XMizhTBxAq
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 9, 2025
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What did Erling Haaland say?
Haaland said City could “find excuses” including “many injuries at bad times” but ultimately “haven’t been performing well enough”.
“We haven’t had fully the hunger inside of us,” said the 24-year-old, speaking to ESPN. “I haven’t been good enough. I haven’t helped the team enough. In the end, we haven’t been good enough.”
City could start Haaland at Southampton, having kept the Norway talisman as an unused substitute on his return in the 1-0 home win over Wolves on May 2.
“It was horrible to be injured, but what can you do?” asked Haaland, who will hope to feature in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17 (16:30).
“You have to recover as quickly as you can and come back as fit as you can. Now I’m back with loads of energy. I’m feeling good and moving good and I’m ready.”
Guardiola: Alonso ‘unbelievable’
Guardiola called managerial newcomer Xabi Alonso’s “impact” at Leverkusen “unbelievable” after his fellow Spaniard revealed on Friday that he will end his reign of almost three years at the end of the season.
In his debut season as a senior first-team coach, Alonso won the Bundesliga and German Cup as part of an unbeaten domestic season and led Leverkusen to the Europa League final in 2023/24.
“All the managers who had the opportunity and pleasure to have him as a player always knew he would be as a manager,” said Guardiola.
“The way they play and the way he improved the players, him and Leverkusen have to be so proud of this partnership they have had.”
Southampton vs Man City
City can take another step towards Champions League qualification and win a sixth consecutive game in all competitions when they visit the relegated Saints.
“It starts 0-0 and is a massively important game for us,” Guardiola said, adding that Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Rodri remain out.
Kevin De Bruyne’s 35th-minute winner gave the Cityzens victory against Wolves, and they are three points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest with a significant goal superiority before their final three league games.
Three points would move City level with second-placed Arsenal if the Gunners lose at champions Liverpool on Sunday (16:30).
Working towards Southampton 💪🩵 pic.twitter.com/PmHwxJWIYe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 8, 2025
While City have recaptured some of the form that has allowed them to become the dominant force in English football under Guardiola, Southampton’s defeat last Saturday will have made them all the more eager for the season to end.
A 2-0 defeat at fellow relegation certainties Leicester City ensured they will finish bottom of the pile as well as making an immediate return to the Championship.
Southampton are winless in 12 matches in all competitions since their victory at Ipswich Town on February 1, losing 10 times along the way.
