Pep Guardiola has been urged to stick to on-the-field matters following post-match comments that have sparked criticism about home attendances at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to BT Sport, Guardiola appeared to question the support of Manchester City fans who failed to sell out the Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, and pleaded for bigger crowds for the weekend Premier League fixture against Southampton.
The manager's comments touch on a subject sore to City supporters, with their home sometimes dubbed "Emptyhad" by rivals.
“I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday,” Guardiola told BT Sport after the 6-3 victory, attended by a crowd of just over 38,000.
“We will need the people next Saturday, please, because we will be tired. I invite all our people to come next Saturday, 3pm, and watch the game.”
City have regularly failed to sell out their stadium for midweek Champions League ties and Kevin Parker, the general secretary of City’s official supporters’ club, believes Guardiola should have been more sensitive with his comments given the current circumstances.
“It did surprise me,” Parker told PA Media. “I’m not sure what that’s got to do with him.
"He doesn’t understand the difficulties that some people might have getting to a game at the Etihad on a Wednesday evening at 8pm. They’ve got kids to think of, they might not be able to afford it, there are still some Covid issues about … I don’t see why he comments on it.
“He’s absolutely the best coach in the world but, in the nicest possible way, I think maybe he should stick to that. It just takes the edge off what was a good night. People are talking more about Pep’s comments than a fantastic game.
"To question the support, which is effectively what he is doing, is disappointing and uncalled for.
"It does also play into the hands of supporters from other teams who want to take every opportunity to have a go at City for what they think are the poor attendances.
"People refer to the Etihad as the 'Emptyhad'. It's a little bit of fun by the opposition supporters but there's no justification for it. It's not factual. Our attendances are generally excellent."
It's a different story in the Premier League for City, adding to Parker's puzzlement as to why Guardiola would make these comments ahead of the upcoming league fixture.
He said: "Of course he would want a full house but I don't know why he would question whether we'd have one against Southampton on Saturday. It is a different scenario.
"We have played two Saturday home games and the stadium - from a City perspective at least, Norwich didn't sell their full allocation - was full on both occasions.
"I don't think anybody anywhere within the club should be questioning the loyalty of the supporters. It is frustrating."
