Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola responded sarcastically to the recent statements of his former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying that he was "so jealous of the Norwegian Erling Haaland that he does not want him to score more goals."

According to what was reported by the Spanish newspaper "Marca", the Spanish coach "sarcastically" said that he would ask Halland - the current top scorer in the English Premier League - to stop scoring goals, because he is jealous and does not want one of his players to snatch the spotlight from him.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Pep Guardiola's ego will hamper Erling Haaland's ability at Manchester City.

Pep's response is just perfect Pep 😂😂#ManCity #MCFC pic.twitter.com/4y8pJRe7re

— Mike Minay (@MikeMinay) November 4, 2022

The Manchester City coach's comments came in response to the criticism leveled at him by Ibrahimovic during his recent appearance on the French "Canal Plus", and his hint that "Guardiola may stand in the way of Halland's progress because of his arrogance."

The Swedish striker - who played in Barcelona under the Spanish coach in the 2009-2010 season - sparked controversy when he said that "Haaland's development with Manchester City depends on the arrogance that characterizes Guardiola's personality."

He added, "Haaland will develop or not? This depends on Guardiola, and will he allow Haaland to become older than him or not? He did not allow me or others to be at this level."

However, the Spanish coach responded with irony and sarcasm to the Swedish star, saying, “He is absolutely right, satisfying my ego is more important than the team, when Halland scores 3 goals, it bothers me because I am very jealous, so what I will do now is to ask Halland not to score more goals, otherwise The Sun and the Daily Mail will not write anything about me, please stop targeting Erling, according to what was published by "Marca".

Guardiola and Ibrahimovic's relationship was strained throughout the time the Swedish striker was in Barcelona (Reuters)

In his last appearance, in an interview with the French "Canal Plus", the Swedish striker returned to his time with Barcelona, ​​saying that "it was the worst period in my football career", and that "his move to the Blaugrana was a mistake he regretted greatly.

Halland scored a goal this evening, Saturday, in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the match between Manchester City and Fulham;

To give his team an exciting victory (2-1) in the 15th round of the Premier League.

It is noteworthy that Haaland has scored 23 goals in 18 matches he has played so far with Manchester City, since his move to him last July from Borussia Dortmund.