It was unsurprising that questions preceding this Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur were not exactly on the game.

Instead, the theme largely surrounded Ballon d'Or winner Rodri following a surprising swing of events yesterday, as the coveted trophy appeared to be in the hands of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.

Rodri's triumph was the first Ballon d'Or earned by a Manchester City player while at the club. The holding midfielder lifted the Premier League and EURO 2024 after a successful campaign last season.

Immediately, he was congratulated by his head coach Pep Guardiola, who expressed gratitude and joy for the award heading to Rodri.

"Firstly I congratulate him and all his family and friends. It is incredible news for him," Guardiola said.

"Me and the fans are incredibly proud of him. We could have never imagined years ago that one of our players would receive this prestigious award. We are delighted to share it with him. Hopefully it will give him the energy to recover and be with us again."

Later, the Manchester City head coach credited himself to the award before offering greater appreciation for his midfielder and squad.

"Without me, he has no win," Guardiola joked. "He needs his mates to win. We are going to play this season without the best-nominated player in the world. His contribution to our success has been great."

And as the credit continued, the shared love of Spanish football between Rodri and Pep Guardiola reflected in his congratulations.

"Rodri made an incredible speech, especially about Spanish football. I agree with him - Spanish football in the last decade has been incredible, winning the World Cup and the Euros.

"This award represents Rodri perfectly. The influence on world football has been massively important, not just in winning trophies but the way they play," Guardiola added.

During a moment of preaching, the City boss insisted that losing out at award ceremonies is not exactly a loss.

Instead, finishing second, third or fourth is a gigantic achievement, and should be celebrated rather than dismayed as a defeat.

That was the response to Real Madrid snubbing the awards after discovering Vinicius Jr. had not won the Ballon d'Or, but he did not take issue with their absence.

"Nothing to say. If they want to go, it's fine, if they don't want to go it's fine as well. Absolutely we are not here to judge what the other clubs want to do," Guardiola commented.

"I will say for us, last season, Erling won the treble, scored 50 goals - and I said to him to even be there you have to be so happy, and I said to Rodri if you are in the first two or three [places], you have to be so happy. Last year should Erling have won? Yes, should Leo have won? Yes."

That therefore was attributed to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's dominance, which prevented any player from winning the trophy due to their sheer choke-hold on the sport in the last decade.

After recalling his time at Barcelona, where Xavi and Andres Iniesta missed out on winning the award, the Man City manager doubled down on his opinion.

"I remember three players from Barcelona's La Masia were nominated for the Ballon d'Or - Xavi and Iniesta could not win because there was a monster there - Messi, no one could beat him," Guardiola said.

"Only Cristiano who was a monster [could beat Messi], and the father of the monster is Messi. In that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it, but Rodri yesterday got what Spanish football deserved. Being among the four or five best players in the world is magnificent."

The case study of the best manager award was added by Guardiola, who argued that three coaches deserved the trophy, yet only one could win.

"Carlo Ancelotti I congratulate deeply for the big success of the best manager in the world, but it was Gasperini with Atalanta who made an incredible achievement, or Luis de la Fuente with the incredible tournament against tough opposition.

"You don't think they deserve it? Of course, they deserve it. But Carlo deserves it as well. People should accept results, sometimes you win sometimes you don't."

Erik Ten Hag's departure The manager merry-go-round continues in the Premier League, with Erik Ten Hag dismissed by Man United yesterday after a disappointing start to the season.

Despite the city rivalry, Pep Guardiola offered sympathy towards the departing Dutchman.

"I am so sorry for him. I have an incredible relationship [with him]. I think he represented Man United in the highest way in his behaviour. It is one of the few jobs in the world where people expect you to be sacked. It is only us," Guardiola explained.

"I wish him all the best and his family, and he is going to come back stronger. He knows, everyone knows, the job depends on results. It is either stay or be sacked."

The Catalan then explained the brutality of the job and the downsides of being a manager, no matter the results.

"If you decide to be a manager, you have to get results. If you are [manager] because you are handsome or good at talking, or have a good relationship with hierarchy - forget about it.

"I have a great relationship with the hierarchy but if you do not get results I would not be here. It is a business, and when you become a manager you must know it. You have to get results. "