The Premier League asked Manchester City if they would enter into a collaboration with a comedian who has repeatedly mocked the club and its manager over the 115 charges.
Officials at the Etihad Stadium were left stunned when counterparts at the league suggested they work with impressionist Conor Moore.
The Irishman is known for his humorous takes of the likes of compatriot Roy Keane – but on a number of occasions he has mercilessly poked fun at Guardiola and City, whose legal war with the Premier League rages on.
In one sketch, Moore dons a bald cap and grey sweatshirt to imitate Guardiola in a mocked-up press conference. The City manager is asked if he has made any signings in recent times. ‘We know in the last few days we have to reinforce and we have done that, especially on our bench,’ he responds, with a cheeky nod to the ongoing case which has seen City charged with 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s spending rules. ‘We have signed four barristers, eight lawyers and a judge.’
It is understood that those who work on content at the Premier League thought City could bring in Moore to do impressions with their players while they watched, with footage then being shared by the pair. But Mail Sport understands the request was politely turned down by flabbergasted City officials.
Both City and the Premier League declined to comment but sources disclosed that Moore’s mickey-taking over the issue that has rocked football ‘slipped through the net’ at the Premier League end.
Man City turned down a suggestion from the Premier League to work with impressionist Conor Moore, who has repeatedly mocked the club and Pep Guardiola over its 115 charges
Both the Premier League and Man City declined to comment, but sources disclosed that Moore’s mickey-taking over the issue that has rocked football ‘slipped through the net’ at the Premier League end
Man City previously worked with Greeters Guild president Troy Hawke, with the 1930s inspired character welcoming players as they arrived for their US tour in 2022
City have previously worked with Greeters Guild president Troy Hawke, with the 1930s inspired character welcoming players as they arrived for their US tour.
Another Moore video titled: ‘Pep Guardiola goes to court!!! MAN CITY CHARGED!’ portrays the Spaniard as the accused and features the comedian, in the same outfit, stood in the dock.
‘Are you the man who spent £100m on Jack Grealish?’ Guardiola is asked, to canned laughter.
He is then told he has many victims, with Moore first impersonating ex-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. ‘At the time I blame Luke Shaw and I blame Paul Pogba but in truth they could do nothing,’ the Portuguese says. ‘We were never going to catch City and now I know why.’
Moore then portrays former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. ‘Steven Gerrard slipped on his hole and we lost the league by two points,’ he says. ‘I lost my job and I went from managing a team of wonderful characters and great technicians to managing Leicester City…’
Next up is another ex-Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, as the merciless mickey-taking continues.
‘If Man City didn’t cheat we’d be champions in 2019,’ he says. ‘If Man City didn’t cheat we’d be champions in 2021, if Man City didn’t cheat we’d be champions in 2022 and if Darwin Nunez didn’t miss so many chances we could be champions in 2023…’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who replaced Mourinho at Old Trafford, delivers the next victim impact statement. ‘I could have been Premier League champion,’ he says. ‘It would have been fantastic but Man City obviously cheated and I became a laughing stock.’
Both City and the Premier League continue to wait for a verdict to the long-running saga. City were charged after a four-year investigation and referred to an independent commission in February 2023.
While the hearing has ended, a conclusion remains elusive.
