Guardiola hits back at Manchester City critics: don’t understand why the club doesn’t spend more money

Pep Guardiola poked fun at Manchester City’s critics on Tuesday, saying he was unhappy with the club’s spending despite reportedly spending $115 million on signings during the January transfer window.

City were the biggest spenders in mid-season for the second year in a row, following the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. It has spent more than $500 million in the past 12 months and has dominated English football with its exorbitant transfer deals since being bought by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in 2008.

That has led to criticism over purchasing power, but manager Guardiola pointed out that six Premier League rivals had higher net spend in recent years and put pressure on them to match his team’s success.

“I’m a bit sad and upset because we’re seventh in the Premier League in terms of net spend over the last five years,” he joked. «I want to be the first, I don’t understand why the club doesn’t spend more money. I’m a bit grumpy with them.»

But just as we have won in the past because we have spent a lot, now six teams have to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup because they have spent more in the last five years.»

This is evident from figures on the statistics website Transfer marketCity’s net expenditure over the past five years was $543 million.

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Manchester United is at the top with $925 million, followed by Arsenal ($908 million), Chelsea ($892 million), Tottenham ($786 million), Newcastle ($581 million) and Liverpool ($575 million).

Since the 2021-2022 season, City have won three league titles: the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FA Cup. That period included the treble of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in 2023.

Liverpool have won three trophies in that period, including last year’s title. Man United have won two domestic cups, while Tottenham won the Europa League last season and Newcastle won the English League Cup. Arsenal have not won any trophies, but are leading the Premier League this season.

«Good luck to the six teams ahead of us in terms of net expenditure over the last five years. Let’s go. I’ll wait,» said Guardiola, who has won 15 major trophies since taking over in 2016.

City are still in the running for a clean sweep of trophies this season and Guardiola spoke ahead of the League Cup semi-final against holders Newcastle on Wednesday.

His team leads 2-0 after the first leg and can win the trophy for the fifth time under Guardiola.

Published on February 3, 2026