An outspoken figure on various off-field issues, Pep Guardiola was asked about the controversial statements made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration. In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, the 73-year-old businessman claimed that the UK was being 'colonized' by immigrants, using inaccurate population data to support his position. Later, Ratcliffe apologized for any offense caused. In a press conference ahead of the match against Salford in the FA Cup, Guardiola did not want to respond directly to Sir Jim Ratcliffe but reflected on the issue. 'I have great respect for Sir Jim. I was fortunate to meet him. I think he made a statement and then apologized. I won’t comment on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said because, after that, we have a problem all over the world, in every country,' began the Manchester City manager. 'How we treat immigrants and other people coming from different countries is a problem that our countries face. It is a very, very big problem because the fact that I am Catalan and you are British… the influence we had when we were born was from our mother and father, right? That’s why we were born there. Everyone wants to have a better life. Everyone wants to have the prospect of a better future for themselves, their family, or their friends. Sometimes, opportunities arise in the place where you were born and in the place you go. In the past, it was very difficult to travel, but today, in an hour, you can be anywhere,' he added. Guardiola also mentioned that the place where one is born 'makes no difference' and spoke about the education he received. 'When we start, we have a lot of work to do in that regard. Does that make me feel better than you because I am Catalan? No. My education, from birth, my travels to Mexico, my experiences in Qatar, Italy, England, or Germany – all of that is a result of my personality and how I was raised. I met incredible people while traveling, and that’s what it’s about, but don’t make me feel bad just because I was born in a different place than others. Most people flee their countries because of the problems that exist there, not because they want to leave. The more we embrace other cultures, the more we truly embrace them, the better our society will be – I have no doubt about that,' he concluded.
Pep Guardiola Manchester United remains central to this story.
Pep Guardiola Manchester United remains central to this story.
Read more in Premier League news. and related tags: Pep Guardiola, Manchester United.