Liam Duckstein
Guardiola Absent Ahead of Tottenham Clash
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola missed Friday’s pre-match media duties before Sunday’s Premier League trip to Tottenham—his assistant Pep Lijnders stepped in instead.
Pep Lijnders. Source: Official Website
The club confirmed Guardiola’s absence was due to a “personal matter.” Lijnders addressed reporters at the scheduled lunchtime news conference, assuring them the boss was “good as always, full of ambition and passion” but needed time away. Guardiola was expected to return to Manchester later that day.
City’s players enjoyed a day off on Friday, with Guardiola set to lead Saturday’s training session before the team travels to London.
A Season of Absences
This marks the third time this season Guardiola has missed pre or post-match duties. In December, assistant Kolo Touré handled the press ahead of the Crystal Palace game while Guardiola attended to personal affairs. Earlier this month, Lijnders took charge of the media briefing after City’s 10-1 FA Cup thrashing of Exeter City, with Guardiola serving a touchline ban.
Also read: Tottenham vs Manchester City Prediction: 01.02.2026 English Premier League
Advocacy and Controversy
Guardiola’s recent public appearances have drawn attention beyond football. On Thursday, he wore a black-and-white keffiyeh while speaking at a charity concert in Barcelona, voicing support for Palestinian children. “We have left them alone,” he said. “Abandoned.”
“We have left them alone. Abandoned.”
Last June, he delivered an emotional speech upon receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, expressing fear over the “painful” war in Gaza. His activism isn’t new—back in 2018, he was fined £20,000 by the FA for wearing a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians during an FA Cup match against Wigan.
Guardiola accepted the charge, acknowledging the ribbon carried a “political message.”