In a recent press conference, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, delivered a powerful message on the importance of embracing diversity, framing the widespread tendency to blame immigrants for societal issues as a profound and significant problem. Guardiola’s comments, while not directly referencing the specific controversy, arrived in the wake of contentious statements made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the part-owner of rival club Manchester United.
According to a report from the ESPN network, Guardiola carefully avoided a direct commentary on Ratcliffe’s remarks concerning the supposed “colonization” of the United Kingdom by immigrants. However, the City manager emphasized that viewpoints analogous to those expressed by the British billionaire represent a genuine obstacle to social cohesion. Ratcliffe, a billionaire residing in Monaco, had faced severe criticism following an interview with Sky News, where he claimed that “massive levels of immigrants” were placing the British economy under intense strain.
These declarations prompted reactions from a spectrum of figures and groups, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, various Manchester United fan groups, and the anti-racism organization Kick It Out. Although Ratcliffe later issued an apology for his “choice of words,” and Guardiola acknowledged this retraction, the Spanish coach maintained that perceiving immigrants as a problem remains a broadly concerning issue.
“I have a lot of appreciation for Sir Jim, and I was fortunate to meet him,” Guardiola stated during the Friday press conference. “He issued a statement to apologize afterwards, so I will not comment on what he said because he later clarified exactly what he wanted to say. But this is a problem we face in all countries around the world.”
Reactions and Institutional Responses
In a connected effort to manage the fallout from its owner’s comments, Manchester United moved to limit the damage by releasing an official statement on Thursday. The club asserted its pride in being an “inclusive and welcoming club for all.” Meanwhile, sources informed ESPN that the Football Association is reviewing the content of Ratcliffe’s interview, though a formal investigation has not yet been launched.
Guardiola continued his discourse on migration with notable passion, extending a recent series of humanitarian statements that have addressed situations in Palestine and Sudan, as well as gun violence incidents in the United States. “We treat immigrants or people coming from other countries as the cause of the problems our countries are suffering, and this is a big, big problem,” he elaborated. “Everyone wants to have a better life and a chance for a good future for themselves, their families, and their friends. Sometimes the opportunity comes in your birthplace, and sometimes it comes in the place you go to.”
Concluding his remarks, Guardiola offered a vision for a more integrated society. “Today, skin color or place of birth should not make a difference, and we still have a lot of work to do in this regard,” he said. “Most people flee their countries because of the problems there, not because they want to leave. And the more we embrace other cultures, the better a society we will be.”
The context for Guardiola’s press appearance was a preview of Manchester City‘s upcoming FA Cup fifth-round match against Salford City, scheduled for 14 February 2026 at 16:00. While the focus remained on football, the manager’s words underscored a broader, ongoing conversation about inclusivity and perception within the sport and society at large.