Former England Boss Tells Man City to Go for Messi Amid PSG Contract Talks

Former England Boss Tells Man City to Go for Messi Amid PSG Contract Talks

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM
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  • Former Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has told the club to go for Lionel Messi
  • Messi's contract at PSG expires at the end of the season and a new one is yet to be signed despite reports of verbal agreement
  • The former England boss claims Messi won't say no to working with Pep Guardiola again

Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola worked together at Barcelona for four years at the start of the Spaniard's managerial career and won 14 trophies together including two UEFA Champions League trophies.

The Argentine departed Barcelona in 2021 after the Catalans were unable to register his new contract ending a 21 year stay with the club, after which he joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain on a two years contract.

Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi, Manchester City, PSG, Barcelona, French Ligue 1, Premier League.
Eriksson advises Guardiola to target Messi as he can't say no to him. Photos by David Ramos/Rico Brouwer.
Source: Getty Images

Messi's contract expires in the summer and after winning the World Cup a new one is yet to be signed. Former Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has told the club to take advantage and go for Guardiola's former star.

Messi won't say no to Guardiola

Messi is Pep Guardiola's greatest ever player and one close to the City boss' heart. He constantly praises the seven time Ballon d'Or winner at every opportunity and tipped him to win the World Cup.

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According to Sports Illustrated, City were interested in Messi before he opted to join PSG when he left Camp Nou in 2021. The Citizens had also just spent £100m on Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.

Speaking in an interview with OLBG, as quoted by Daily Star, Eriksson tells City to go for the 35 year old and believes he won't say no to Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola knows Lionel Messi very well so I can't imagine he would say no to that transfer. It would be great for him to play in the Premier League, especially with Erling Haaland in front of him, but I can't see it happening, he said.

Guardiola praises Messi's advantage

Manchester City whipped Chelsea 4-0 in the third round of the FA Cup to increase the pressure on the Blues boss Graham Potter who has won just once in nine games.

As Sports Brief earlier reported, Guardiola advised Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to give Potter time and said he didn't need time at Barcelona because of Messi.

The 51 year old was promoted from Barcelona B manager to first team coach by Joan Laporta in 2008 and immediately transformed the team to a formidable one, building it around Messi.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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Pep GuardiolaTransfers