Pep Guardiola has mounted a passionate defence of multiculturalism following Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial claim that the UK had been “colonised” by immigrants.
The Manchester City manager addressed the remarks at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round match against Salford City.
“I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim; I was fortunate to meet him,” Guardiola said. “I think he made a statement after, making an apology.”
However, the Spaniard went on to argue forcefully that welcoming different cultures strengthens communities.
Pep Guardiola mounted a passionate defence of multiculturalism`
|GETTY
“The more we embrace other cultures, truly embrace it, then we will have a better society – I do not have any doubts about that,” he stated.
Ratcliffe apologised on Thursday for “offending some people” but maintained that “open debate” on immigration remained necessary.
Guardiola drew upon his own extensive international experience to illustrate his point.
Born in Santpedor in Catalonia, the 55-year-old has lived and worked across multiple continents throughout his playing and managerial career.
“The fact I am Catalan and you are British – what influence did we have on where we were born? It was mum and dad,” he observed.
His time in Italy, Qatar and Mexico as a player, followed by management roles in Spain, Germany and England since taking charge at City in 2016, had shaped his worldview, he explained.
Jim Ratcliffe apologised over claims Britain is colonised by migrants after intense backlask
| SKYNEWS“My education, where I was born, travelling in Mexico, living in Qatar, Italy, England, Germany – that’s just benefited my personality,” Guardiola said. “I grew up, met incredibly nice people.”
Ratcliffe made his controversial remarks during a television interview on Wednesday, sparking immediate backlash.
The 73-year-old founder of petrochemical company INEOS released a statement the following day expressing regret for his word choice.
“I’m sorry that my choice of language has offended some people,” he said, while insisting it remained “important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.”
Manchester United responded with their own statement on Thursday, emphasising the club “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.”
The statement highlighted United’s “diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters,” though notably avoided mentioning Ratcliffe by name.
The Football Association confirmed it was reviewing the comments.
The backlash against Ratcliffe extended across politics and football.
Pep Guardiola insisted we should “embrace” more cultures
| PAPrime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the remarks as “offensive and wrong,” adding: “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out issued a strongly worded rebuke, calling the comments “disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.”
The organisation noted that United plays in a city “whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants.”
Manchester United’s Muslim Supporters Club expressed being “deeply concerned” by Ratcliffe’s language.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned of a “migrant colonisation” of Britain
| GETTYTheir statement warned that the term “colonised” was “not neutral” and “echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats.”
The group emphasised that such rhetoric “has real-world consequences” amid sustained increases in hate crimes across the UK.