Very strong message from Guardiola to Moyes. Pep Guardiola expects David Moyes to ‘do everything to beat’ Manchester City
Pep Guardiola expects David Moyes to “do everything” to spoil Manchester City’s party on his West Ham swansong. Guardiola’s City will win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title if they beat the Hammers in their final game of the season on Sunday.
Yet the game is Moyes’ last in charge of the London club after four-and-a-half years and Guardiola has no doubt the 61-year-old will want to sign off in style before moving on to a new challenge.
The City manager said: “This type of personality in English football, he’s not going to retire. He’ll be back – this is my feeling. That at his age and his experience he still is involved, it is because he cannot be at home. He will be back.
“It’s curious. My first game in the Premier League was against Sunderland and David Moyes was there. Now, another important game, he will be there.
“Always it is an honour to see him. When I’m there, he’s always so kind. He’s a lovely person, his experience speaks for itself.
“But he will do everything to beat us.”
Victory for City would not only secure an historic fourth title in a row but a remarkable sixth in seven seasons.
With Arsenal trailing by two points, City know they need only to match the Gunners’ result against Everton to prevail, but Guardiola is not looking at it that way.
He said: “The destiny is in our hands, but if you are thinking that they are going to drop, you are wrong. If you are thinking that Everton are going to do something, forget about it. I have seen Arsenal all season.
“We just focus on what we have to do against West Ham. There is not any contamination in my brain about anything other than what we have to do to beat West Ham.”
This year’s title race has been a classic, with not only City and Arsenal challenging for top spot but Liverpool running close until fading in the closing weeks.
Emerging on top could make it extra special, but Guardiola does not want to rank his triumphs.
He said: “Don’t ask me to choose from the Premier Leagues we won. All of them were so, so difficult and had a lot of effort behind them.”
David Wagner looks frustrated
David Wagner has paid the price for Norwich’s thrashing by Leeds – Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
David Wagner has been sacked by Norwich City, with the Championship club taking immediate action after Thursday night’s play-off debacle.
Wagner’s 16-month reign at Carrow Road has ended following the embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Leeds in the semi-final second leg at Elland Road.
Telegraph Sport understands that Wagner’s position was in doubt for months, despite guiding the club from 17th in November to the play-off places.
Norwich’s sporting director Ben Knapper is targeting a fresh start over the summer and Wagner’s departure will be announced within the next few hours.
Carlos Cuesta, the Arsenal first-team coach, is not understood to be under consideration but Liam Rosenior – surprisingly sacked by Hull City last week – could emerge as an option.
Former Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has been sounded out but is prepared to bide his time before making his return to the technical area. Wagner was appointed by Norwich in January last year and endured a frustrating first season as the club finished 13th. He also suffered a miserable start to this campaign but engineered a remarkable turnaround to finish the season sixth.
Wagner and Knapper’s relationship is said to have been strained at times during the season and the pair will now part company.
