Summary

  1. We're back tomorrow!published at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    Thanks Tristan. Right, we'll leave you here.

    Make sure you stay on the BBC Sport website and App as we'll soon have live-text updates and radio commentary of Chelsea v Celtic in the Women's Champions League.

    And be sure to join us on tomorrow's Daily Football Live where we'll be fully focused on the return of the Premier League!

    There'll be team news, tactics and plenty of room for chat. Bring it on!

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    My daughter Sasha, as a Palace fan, reckons Roy Hodgson deserves a mention. Final weather report.

    Tristan. From a slushy Cotswolds.

  3. 'I'm never going to do it again'published at 15:28 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Chelsea v Celtic (20:00 GMT)

    Celtic

    Celtic manager Elena SadikuImage source, Getty Images

    Celtic manager Elena Sadiku said she does not want to get sent off again after the first dismissal of her coaching career came in this weekend's defeat by Rangers.

    Her side hope to claim their first ever point in the Women's Champions League in London and Sadiku is adamant she has learned her lesson.

    "It was my first and my last [red card]. I would rather not speak about it, but it is what it is," she said.

    "It's not how I want to be perceived and I'm never going to do it again."

    European football has been a learning curve for Celtic but Sadiku feels her players are rising to the challenge in a tough group which includes Real Madrid.

    "What the players have learned the most is to be braver and more confident, especially in possession," said Sadiku.

    "We knew it was going to be tough, especially with the teams in the group. We're really learning during the competition.

    "In the last performance against Chelsea it was pretty clear how much we fought together as a team and how strong we were as a team.

    "Losing to Rangers the way we did, I don't think it took anything away from us. We're now even more hungry. It's all about how we step up again."

  4. 'We need to keep our heads on our shoulders'published at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Chelsea v Celtic (20:00 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea women's team boss Sonia BompastorImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says her side need to "keep their heads on their shoulders" after an impressive start to the season.

    The Blues face Celtic in the Women's Champions League at Stamford Bridge on tonight (20:00 GMT) hoping to make it 11 wins out of 11 in all competitions.

    Bompastor's team beat Celtic 2-1 in their first meeting last week and sit top of their European group table with a 100% record.

    "We work really hard as a team and a club to succeed. Maybe people think that's easy but it's not - it's a lot of hard work," said Bompastor.

    "I’m lucky because I have a good squad with a lot of talent. I have depth in my squad. We have had good results but we need to keep our heads on our shoulders."

  5. Postpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Right, we'll be closing this page in eight minutes.

    I know, I know, but we've got to be fresh for tomorrow's live text.

    Before we go, here's a taste of what you can look forward to tonight.

  6. Navigating next stage of Premier League casepublished at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    It is significant Guardiola has committed his future to the club when the Premier League case is still to be decided.

    It seems unlikely he will know how that will go but he has been consistent in cautioning against a rush to judgement before the full facts are known and also in his view that what he is being told about the club’s conduct backs up their view they have done nothing wrong.

    Regardless, it is 12 months since he said pointedly he would stick around even if City were "relegated to League One".

    That buys into the theory Guardiola’s ties to the City ownership are so strong he would not walk away if the worst was to become reality.

    While there is so much uncertainty around the case itself, Guardiola has guaranteed one thing.

    He will not only continue to be the public face of the club and have to deal with questions as they arise over the next few weeks but also will remain in post for months afterwards as the aftermath is debated.

    The reality now – and it would probably have been the case anyway – is that Guardiola’s reputation will forever be tied to City’s, good or bad.

  7. Postpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    We do genuinely love all of your messages though so please don't be put off, we want a wide range of opinions on this live.

  8. Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Ouch. Three thumbs up and 100+ thumbs down in five minutes.

  9. Postpublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    That's not to say he's a bad manager, he's certainly better than me.

    I'm not even winning my family FPL league, and I'm a sports journalists. A disgrace!

  10. Postpublished at 15:15 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Love your optimism Arun! I'm going to stick my neck out and say no, I don't think Mikel Arteta will be remembered as the greatest manager in Premier League history.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:13 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Mikel Arteta will become the best manager in the history of the Premier League. First manager to implement four at the back, building into three when in possession. Arsenal are a CF away from premier league dominance. Saliba and Gabriel arguably the greatest defensive partnership the league has seen. I hope this page is still live in a couple seasons, and this post can be archived.

    Arun

  12. Does Guardiola still have the desire?published at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Pep Guardiola looking tiredImage source, Getty Images

    It is often difficult to read Guardiola.

    He can appear tired in news conferences but there is also an inner fire which has enabled him to set and maintain his standards.

    There is also something different about his attachment to City.

    He still talks about Barcelona as "his club" but he found the pressure suffocating and quit after four seasons.

    At Bayern, he stayed for the length of an initial three-year contract and nothing more. At City, he admits, he has everything he needs.

    He likes living in England, has no intention of moving to Italy, so what were the alternatives. The big question, post Treble triumph, is where does the motivation come from?

  13. Postpublished at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Some BBC Sport behind the scenes gossip, a few of us are working on pieces for when Lionel Messi retires.

    Don't worry, we haven't had a tip off or anything, it's more of a "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" kind of thing.

    Anyway, the reason why I bring it up is because I've been trawling through the archives, and when you do you see that we used to say the same things that Tom here refers to about Messi.

    It took him ages to score against an English team and there was a growing opinion that he would never be great because he couldn't hack the pace of the British game.

    Then he dominated Manchester United in two Champions League finals and that theory instantly went away.

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Reminder to Rob that before Pep arrived in England he was told his methods wouldn't work here. His influence goes far beyond the teams he manages to the league and national teams at the time. Of course he has always had financial backing as an elite coach but it's like saying Messi isn't the greatest because he never proved himself at Stoke.

    Tom, Surbiton

  15. Would Guardiola manage England?published at 15:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    It is the way of football that even before City have confirmed the news, questions are being asked about the timing and what it means in relation to the England job.

    A straight one-year deal for Guardiola could leave him free to replace Thomas Tuchel when his contract with the Football Association expires.

    But Tuchel has not taken charge for a single game yet. If he fulfils his remit and wins the 2026 World Cup, would he walk away?

    Would Guardiola be that keen to replace him? It does seem inevitable Guardiola will manage at international level one day – and if Spain is not an obvious move because of his stance on Catalan independence, England is an option.

    He has also been linked to the Brazil job over the past few weeks and it is known Guardiola's ambition is to one day manage a national side.

    But given we are talking about nearly two years down the line - and six months ago, it seemed certain Guardiola would be leaving City - it is probably wise to hold back from looking too far ahead.

  16. The results are in...published at 15:01 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Is Pep Guardiola the greatest Premier League manager?

    42% of you say yes, 58% say no.

  17. Poll to close at 15:00 GMTpublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Thanks Stefan. Just joining us and want your say in our greatest manager debate?

    Our poll at the top of this page is about to close in two minutes!

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Guardiola the Premier League's best ever manager?published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    People talk about managing big clubs like Barca and City as though it's easy. All those egos in the dressing room, keeping everyone happy and persuading them to trust your system is not an easy, especially at the highest level. Pep makes his players believe, like only the best managers can.

    Stefan, St Albans

  19. Contract a catalyst to regain form?published at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Manchester CityImage source, Getty Images

    Man City may still be second in the Premier League but they are going through a slump in form that hasn't been since Guardiola took the reigns.

    A defeat by Brighton last time out was the first time Guardiola has suffered four successive defeats at the club and was the first time since 2006 that City have lost four in a row.

    The run certainly isn't terminal in terms of their bid to win a record-extending fifth straight Premier League title, given they are only five points behind leaders Liverpool and four points clear of third-placed Chelsea.

    They also remain in a decent position in the Champions League group stage - despite being thrashed by Sporting - but know they must regain their form quickly to stay realistic contenders on all fronts.

    It has been suggested in some quarters the uncertainty over Guardiola’s future was a significant factor in City’s current run, and there will now be the hope his decision can provide that clarity and certainty to propel the team forward.

  20. Man City's injury concernspublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 20 November 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Jack GrealishImage source, Getty Images

    A big issue for Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola remains the injuries within his squad, with defenders Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and John Stones absent.

    In addition, Phil Foden has struggled to find his form and Ilkay Gundogan is yet to reach the level of performance he was at before he left for Barcelona after helping City win the Treble in 2023. Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish have been injured, while Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is out for the season.

    City will get no sympathy because of their success and the money they have spent to achieve it, but that number of issues, to any squad in the Premier League, would have a negative impact.