Guardiola backs Klopp's call for fixture list rethink

SHOWS: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (NOVEMBER 1, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. MANCHESTER CITY COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, ARRIVES FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING ABOUT JUERGEN KLOPP'S CALL THAT PLAYERS MAY BE FACING TOO MANY GAMES:

"Less fixtures, less competitions, more recovery. We play 27th and 29th (of December) in winter time, so it's always debate from a long time ago I am in this world as a manager, in the Uefa meetings, always we talk about that. But is nothing here. I completely agree with Juergen (Klopp) when make these kind of statements about too much."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING ABOUT JUERGEN KLOPP'S CALL THAT PLAYERS MAY BE FACING TOO MANY GAMES:

"Yeah, I prioritise. I played Gundogan for example last game. No Kevin (De Bruyne). No (David) Silva. In this competition (Carabao Cup) I prioritise, yeah, definitely. I think Juergen has done the same and Arsenal has done the same, except (Manchester) United for the situation they have , the other ones they do that. This competition is just good for you to rotate the team. Players don't play regularly. Playing more often. So, yeah it's too much."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING PLAYING YOUNG TALENTS LIKE MANCHESTER LOCAL TOMMY DOYLE:

"Of course it's important for the relations of the local players, with our people, the fan for the people who were born here. Of course it's important. But it happen for the quality of the players. It's not for here we're going to play Man City or Man United. So, you have to deserve to be there and the problems we had and because we know him from, from the preseason, from the preseason when he played here, it's always nice to watch him and he play here and good level but is still 17, 18 years old, he's so young, and still have his position right now is in the second team. Play as much as possible there and be ready like he was last game and good for him and of course his family, how important it was his grandpa, so is good."

STORY: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola backed his rival Juergen Klopp's call for football authorities to rethink the amount of fixtures their players face.

Earlier on Friday (November 1), Liverpool manager Klopp said he believes soccer's governing bodies are ignoring player welfare as the Merseyside club prepare for a congested fixture list in December.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of City's Premier League game against Southampton, Guardiola said he completely agreed with Klopp and that players should face 'less fixtures' and be given more recovery time.

At the news conference in Manchester, Guardiola also said that Spanish teenager Eric Garcia is close to challenging for regular first-team action after setting a benchmark for other young prospects with a near-faultless display against Southampton in midweek.

Goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi helped City to a convincing 3-1 victory over Southampton on Tuesday (October 29), but the home fans also gained a glimpse of the future at the Etihad Stadium.

With City suffering an injury crisis in defensive areas, Barcelona academy product Garcia showed great composure on the ball in an assured display alongside Otamendi at centre back.

Garcia made his third appearance for the club on Tuesday, while local academy product Tommy Doyle made his debut in a holding midfield role behind Bernardo Silva and Foden.

Doyle continued a proud City family dynasty as he followed the footsteps of his grandfathers Glyn Pardoe and the late Mike Doyle - team mates in the City side that won the First Division title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and the League Cup in 1970.

Fernandinho returns from suspension for Saturday's league clash against Southampton, but 18-year-old Doyle will be an option when City approach a busy run of fixtures next month.