Rio Ferdinand: Pep Guardiola desperate for Champions League glory, 'getting bored' of the Premier League
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Published 14/02/2023 at 19:52 GMT
City were beaten in the 2021 Champions League final and were knocked out at the semi-final stage of last season's competition. They remain in with the chance of winning the trophy for the first time this year, but must get through a tricky last-16 encounter with RB Leipzig. Rio Ferdinand has backed City for success, with Jermaine Jenas reckoning that Erling Haaland can lead them to glory.
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Rio Ferdinand thinks Champions League success is the prime objective for Pep Guardiola, with the ex-Manchester United defender reckoning the Catalan is “bored” of the Premier League.
Guardiola's Manchester City will continue their quest for a maiden European title with a last-16 tie against RB Leipzig next Wednesday.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand revealed where he thinks the Champions League trophy is heading this season.
“I’m going to go [Manchester] City just because of [Erling] Haaland and Pep [Guardiola] is really driven to win this. He’s getting bored of the Premier League. The Champions League is where it’s at for him.”
Despite winning four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups, continental success has evaded Guardiola at City and Ferdinand thinks critics may eat their words this season, saying, “It will shut many people up if he does get it done.”
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is also backing City for glory - largely due to the addition of striker Haaland.
Jenas said: “I seem to go for City every single year on the basis that he’s [Guardiola] got to get it right at some point.”
“They’ve added a monster [Haaland] to their ranks who’s, in my opinion, been brought in probably more specifically to improve them in the Champions League rather than the Premier League.”
City reached the final in 2021 where they were beaten by English rivals Chelsea, while last season’s campaign ended in defeat at the semi-final stage to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Jenas thinks it would have been a different tie, had they already signed Haaland.
“When I watched that game against Real Madrid, that second leg at the Bernabeu, it was crying out for Erling Haaland just to finish it off. They had everything apart from a goalscorer at the top of the pitch.
"He’s the missing piece in the Champions League.”
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