Wayne Rooney, the legendary Manchester United player, has opened up about a memorable interaction with Pep Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City. This incident, which occurred during Rooney's time as manager of Derby County in 2021, showcases the competitive and sometimes playful nature of the football world.
Rooney was attempting to secure a loan deal for Liam Delap, a former Manchester City youth player who is now at Chelsea. In an attempt to make the deal happen, Rooney called Guardiola, but the call went to voicemail. After a missed call, Guardiola returned the call, leaving a voicemail that left Rooney fuming.
"He left a voicemail saying, 'Hi Wayne, this is Pep, the one who beat you in the Champions League final.' So I was fuming!" Rooney recalled during his punditry for the BBC, referring to Guardiola's Barcelona team that defeated Manchester United in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals.
This voicemail exchange highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two clubs and the personal connections within the football world. Despite the initial frustration, the incident adds a layer of humor to the intense competition between Manchester United and Manchester City.
Rooney's attempt to sign Delap ultimately did not come to fruition, as he stepped down as Derby manager at the end of the 2021/22 season. Delap, who moved to Chelsea for £30 million last summer, was on the bench for the FA Cup final against his former manager, but couldn't prevent City from winning 1-0.
The victory for City keeps their domestic double hopes alive, but they will need Arsenal to drop points in their remaining matches to have any chance of winning the Premier League title. For Chelsea, the loss continues their recent struggles, with eight defeats in 12 matches and a string of FA Cup final losses.
This incident between Rooney and Guardiola provides a fascinating insight into the personal relationships and competitive dynamics within the football world, adding a human touch to the sport's intense battles.
