Pep Guardiola and Brian Kidd pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester City lift title
Guardiola brought members of his coaching staff into his post-match press conference with him
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Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola and his assistant Brian Kidd took time out from Manchester City’s title celebrations on Sunday to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, who remains in intensive care after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Ferguson underwent emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital on Saturday and a statement from his former club Manchester United later said that the procedure had “gone very well”.
Guardiola is a great admirer of Ferguson and recently had dinner with the 76-year-old, who guided United to 13 league titles and two European Cups among other honours during his time at Old Trafford.
City lifted the Premier League trophy after their 0-0 draw with Huddersfield Town on Sunday and despite jubilant scenes at the Etihad, Ferguson was at the forefront of Guardiola’s mind.
When asked for his reaction to the Scot’s condition, he said: “I think Brian could speak there, Brian knows him well but I think Sir Alex was from the beginning, from this morning, always was there.
“Him and his wife Cathy, all the family, get well and hopefully recover as quick as possible, and recover well and come back.
“For him, for all Manchester United family. Of course it’s not rivalry. All the Manchester City fans today in the stadium, you cannot find one person who cannot want the best for an amazing person.”
Guardiola invited Kidd, Ferguson’s assistant at United between 1991 and 1998, to add some words and the 68-year-old paid further tribute to a “phenomenal” man.
“He’s an iconic person and there was really sombre mood yesterday evening and this morning,” Kidd said.
“You think Sir Alex Ferguson is indestructible. What he did for Manchester United, it’s unreal. The pressure he was under every day to produce, it’s phenomenal.
“All of us at Manchester City, he’s in our prayers and thought with Cathy and the kids and we wish him a speedy healthy recovery. We send all our love to him. I think that’s everybody.
“You lads as well have had your run-ins with him but you know where he’s coming from. He bears his heart on his sleeve. I can’t thank him enough.
“The opportunity he gave me, I’m ever indebted to him. We wish him all the love in the world, a healthy and speedy recovery and god bless to him.”
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