Pep Guardiola issues Champions League plea to Manchester City fans over UEFA feud

City have endured a troubled relationship with UEFA with fans regularly booing the anthem but Guardiola insists his players need their support.

Pep Guardiola has issued a plea to Manchester City fans over their feud with UEFA.

City supporters have endured a troubled relationship with the governing body following a series of high-profile decisions.

Such is the level of animosity felt among fans that they ritually boo the Champions League anthem, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Their opening group stage game with Borussia Monchengladbach was postponed but in his programme notes, Guardiola urged fans to make European nights special.

“Manchester City doesn’t have a very long history of success in this competition and we want to change that,” he wrote.

“If we are to be successful it means everyone playing their part – the coaches, the players and – very importantly – the spectators.

“Together we have to make these European nights special and filled with passion.

“We have to be loud and proud and make a statement.

“We have to make the Etihad Stadium the place from where we begin to make UEFA Champions League history.”

Guardiola won the Champions League twice during his time at Barcelona – but failed to deliver the trophy for Bayern Munich in three years with the German giants.

City reached the semi finals for the first time in their history last season – losing to eventual winners Real Madrid.

They have been drawn in Group C with Barca and Celtic, along with Monchengladbach, who they face in a rescheduled game tonight due to heavy downpours in Manchester on Tuesday.

“It is important that we get off to the best possible start,” added Guardiola.

“It is hard in a six-game mini-league to be playing catch-up and every team would like to in first position.

“Momentum is important.”