The Manchester City star, who earns £150,000 a week, is set to spend an extended period of time wearing protective gear.
Josep Guardiola celebrates 1,000 games as manager with Man City’s win over Liverpool
Before the international break, manager Josep Guardiola took charge of his 1,000th game as City manager as his City team defeated Premier League rivals Liverpool 3-0.
Jeremy Doku was the star on the pitch for the Etihad, with goals from Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez in the first half, and a goal in the second half to round out the performance.
After the victory at the Etihad, Guardiola reflected on his managerial career, which began at Barcelona B in 2007.
“I think my time at Barcelona B was the foundation for many things.I realized that I was able to do that and I was able to learn a lot.
“I’ll never forget the players from that first season. For me to play 1,000 games in front of my family, especially against Liverpool, was very special. I have a lot of respect for that club.”
Guardiola has won 716 games as manager over the past 18 years and looks set to lead City into another title challenge with league leaders Arsenal.
A look at Josep Guardiola’s 1,000 games as manager in numbers | |
|---|---|
victory | 716 |
draw | 156 |
loss | 128 |
trophy | 40 |
Number of points | 2,445 |
Number of goals conceded | 813 |
However, he will have to do so for much of the season without one of his reliable midfielders.
Man City’s Mateo Kovacic injury update
According to a report from Sport Witness, Mateo Kovacic underwent successful surgery for a calcification in his heel last Friday.
The midfielder, who has made just one Premier League game all season after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon in the summer, is due to fly to London next week to have his stitches removed.
Currently wearing protective boots and with a rehabilitation program that typically lasts four months, Kovacic, who earns £150,000 a week, hopes to be back by March, giving him some extra time before the World Cup against Croatia.
Between now and March, Man City currently have 22 games in all competitions, plus an as-yet-undecided FA Cup third-round draw.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic hopes Kovacic will recover in time for next summer’s World Cup, saying recently: “I hope Kovacic doesn’t miss the World Cup. He has a similar problem to the one he had four or five months ago. I hope Kovacic doesn’t miss the World Cup.”
“We believe that he will be with us at the World Cup. I hope he will be back in March. It will be difficult for him. The injury and the surgery are taking a mental toll on him. I hope Kovacic will overcome everything.”
