‘He’s Tired’ – Guardiola Reveals Haaland Becomes a Dad Amid City’s Struggles

Erling Haaland is back on the scoresheet! But Pep Guardiola shared that the striker has been feeling “tired” after becoming a dad for the first time.

December 30, 2024
1:06 pm

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become a dad for the first time! Manager Pep Guardiola let the exciting news slip after City’s 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Haaland’s game-winning header in the second half ended his five-game goal drought and helped the struggling champions snag a crucial victory. But it wasn’t just a great night for Haaland on the pitch — it also wrapped up an emotional week for him and his partner, Isabel Johansen, who welcomed their first child.

Guardiola, reflecting on the match, said:

“Erling has been judged harshly sometimes, but that’s football. He’s tired — he’s played a lot of minutes, and in the last few days, he’s become a dad for the first time. A lot of emotions for him this week.”

Haaland’s Emotional Reaction

Haaland, looking relieved after scoring, didn’t hold back on sharing his frustrations about his recent performances. He said:

“S**t happens. It’s always a relief when you score. Leicester played really well, and we knew it would be tough. It’s been a rough patch, but I’m just happy we’re winning again.”

The 23-year-old’s goal was a bright spot in what’s been a challenging time for the reigning champions. Haaland’s strike helped Manchester City secure only their second win in the last 14 games across all competitions as they fight to turn their season around.

Don’t miss out – click below for the best odds and exclusive bonuses!

Guardiola’s Honest Assessment

City boss Guardiola, celebrating his 500th career match as a manager, admitted the team’s performance wasn’t their best. Still, he highlighted how important the win was for rebuilding confidence. He said:

“The right word is relief. It hasn’t been the best performance, but we won, and that’s what matters now. The last couple of months have been really tough — maybe this period will remind us how nice it was when things were going well.”

City’s victory came at a crucial time, with their title defense under serious threat. Guardiola is optimistic about getting the team back on track but knows there’s a challenge ahead.

Leicester’s Missed Opportunity

Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was left frustrated after his team missed key chances to take advantage of City’s struggles. Captain Jamie Vardy squandered a golden opportunity to equalize, leaving the Foxes empty-handed despite a solid performance.

Van Nistelrooy said:

“It’s disappointing not to take anything from the game because we played well. We created great moments, but we just couldn’t finish when it mattered.”