Gary Neville wasted no time stirring the pot after his Salford City were drawn against Manchester City in the FA Cup third round.
The former Manchester United defender and football pundit took to Twitter with a cheeky jab at Pep Guardiola, referencing the “sacked in the morning” chants aimed at the City boss during his team’s recent struggles.
This FA Cup tie marks a historic moment for League Two’s Salford City, who are majority-owned by Neville and his fellow “Class of ’92” alumni. For the first time, the club has reached the third round, setting up a David-versus-Goliath clash against the reigning Premier League champions.
Salford’s Road to the Third Round
Salford secured their spot in the draw with a hard-fought victory over Cheltenham Town, earning them the chance to face the blue half of Manchester. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s Manchester City have endured a torrid run of form, failing to win in seven consecutive matches, including six defeats. Their latest loss, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield, was punctuated by chants from the crowd questioning Guardiola’s job security.
Neville couldn’t resist joining in the banter, tweeting, “He’s getting sacked in the morning,” following the draw announcement. While lighthearted, Neville’s comment also mirrors the broader concerns surrounding Manchester City’s current plight.
He’s getting sacked in the morning @SalfordCityFC
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 2, 2024
Guardiola’s Struggles This Season
City’s recent performances have raised eyebrows, with the usually dominant side looking vulnerable across all competitions. Guardiola himself has admitted the team is falling short of their usual standards, stating: “Maybe I deserve to be sacked, honestly. Maybe I’m still in the job because we won six Premier Leagues. A lot of titles. Otherwise, the hierarchy maybe would be thinking that this does not work.”
The Spaniard’s reflection comes as pressure mounts on his squad to turn things around. City face a challenging festive schedule, with fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Aston Villa before their showdown with Salford in January.
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Neville’s Critique of City
Gary Neville hasn’t held back in his criticism of City’s recent performances. After their defeat to Tottenham, he remarked: “They look well short. As short as I’ve seen them since Pep’s first season. They’re easy to play against, and teams are encouraged when facing them. The vulnerabilities are clear for everyone to see.”
Such comments highlight the magnitude of City’s struggles, which have left them lagging behind Liverpool in the league standings. With defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion in attack, the champions are far from their imperious best.
The Underdogs’ Dream
For Salford City, this is a golden opportunity to make headlines and pull off one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history. Sitting 15th in League Two, the club has nothing to lose and everything to gain as they prepare to host Guardiola’s men.
While Guardiola has mostly avoided embarrassing cup exits during his time in England, he isn’t immune to upsets. The most notable came against Wigan Athletic, then in League One, in the 2017-18 FA Cup. Salford will undoubtedly be looking to replicate such heroics.
Pep’s Festive Test
The timing of this clash adds another layer of intrigue. By January, Guardiola will have navigated the hectic festive fixture list, a period notorious for testing squad depth and managerial acumen. City’s ability to bounce back from their current slump will be critical as they aim to avoid further embarrassment.
Neville’s FA Cup Aspirations
For Neville and Salford City, this is more than just a football match—it’s a chance to cement their place in the history books. The former United stalwart’s passion for the game and his investment in Salford make this tie particularly special.
While Salford’s chances of winning may be slim, the magic of the FA Cup has delivered countless surprises over the years. With City’s vulnerabilities on display, Neville’s side will fancy their chances of causing a stir.
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of the outcome, this fixture represents a fascinating subplot in both clubs’ seasons. For City, it’s a test of their resilience amid a challenging period. For Salford, it’s an opportunity to showcase their progress under Neville’s stewardship and bring a touch of romance to football’s oldest cup competition.
As the countdown to January begins, all eyes will be on Guardiola and Neville, two footballing figures with plenty to prove—and plenty to say. Whether it’s a shock upset or a routine win for the champions, this FA Cup clash is shaping up to be one for the ages.
