'I'm A Bit Sad And Upset': 'Grumpy' Guardiola Takes Playful Net-Spend Dig At Man City Hierarchy

Pep Guardiola was in a mischievous mood as he aimed a tongue-in-cheek dig at Manchester City’s hierarchy and their long-standing reputation as football’s biggest spenders.

Despite City signing Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in January, pushing their gross spending over the last 12 months to around £430 million, Guardiola joked that he was “grumpy” his bosses hadn’t spent even more.

“I’m a little bit grumpy with them.” 🤔

Pep Guardiola says he isn’t happy with Manchester City’s net spend in recent years. 💰 pic.twitter.com/hNewijnF0f

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 3, 2026

“I’m a little bit sad and upset,” Guardiola quipped. “In net spend over the last five years, we’re only seventh in the Premier League. I want to be first!”

City’s manager

used the moment to push back against the narrative that his side’s dominance is purely money-driven. In fact, over the last five years, six Premier League clubs — Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Liverpool — have all outspent City in net terms.

Guardiola didn’t miss the chance to flip the pressure.

“If we won in the past because we spent a lot,” he said, “now those six teams have to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. These are facts, not opinions. Good luck to them. I’m waiting.”

City head into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle holding a 2–0 advantage, though Guardiola admitted one of his side’s recurring problems this season has been protecting leads: something they’ll need to fix if they want another trip to Wembley.

While Guardiola’s comments were delivered with a smile, the underlying message was pointed: if spending equals expectation, then the spotlight shouldn’t always fall on Manchester City anymore.

And as Guardiola put it himself, with a grin: “That’s a nice quote, eh?”