What do you do after Pep's crew thrashes you? Well, give him a gift, of course
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 16.01.26. | 22:13
Six days after Man City demolished Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup, the minnows' boss spoke to the media and revealed an engaging conversation he had with Guardiola, as well as what gift he gave him
In a situation where a team gets eliminated from a cup and, on top of that, gets thrashed 10-1, its manager would be fuming. However, when that team is the English third-tier side Exeter City, and the "demolishers" are Manchester City, he can only be proud to have had the chance to face such a renowned club and the coach who changed the history of football, Pep Guardiola.
In fact, he was so proud that he even presented the rival coach with a gift!
Six days after the Cityzens dismantled the popular Grecians, the minnows' boss, Gary Caldwell, spoke to the media, revealing an engaging conversation he had with the Spaniard after the game, as well as what present he gave Pep, who wasn't in the dugout during the game due to a yellow-card suspension he had to serve.
"It was brilliant to chat to him and pick the brains of one of the best coaches and managers of all time.
"I said thank you for putting the best team out because we didn't get the half Man City experience, we got the full experience, we now know what the very best do and what elite football looks like. I think that can be a huge learning experience for us that can only make us better."
Exeter manager, Gary Caldwell: "I gave him [Pep Guardiola] a nice bottle of Scottish whisky. He said he doesn't drink whisky, I said, 'You might if you start losing 10-1'.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 16, 2026
"It was brilliant to chat to him and pick the brains of one of the best managers of all time. I said thank… pic.twitter.com/HbphW4Pexr
"I gave him a nice bottle of Scottish whisky. He said he doesn't drink whisky, I said 'you might if you start losing 10-1'," Caldwell told the BBC with a smile on his face.
And even though the whole world was aware of the culture of respect in the English football - after all, it's not called the "cradle of football for no reason - the 43-year-old's enthusiasm despite the humiliating defeat and his joy at having an opportunity to face the best definitely cast a new light on the expression "no hard feelings".
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22
Saturday
15.30: (3.55) Man.Utd. (4.00) Man.City (2.00)
18.00: (1.75) Chelsea (4.00) Brentford (4.80)
18.00: (2.25) Leeds (3.45) Fulham (3.45)
18.00: (1.23) Liverpool (6.75) Burnley (15.0)
18.00: (2.70) Sunderland (3.20) Crystal Palace (2.85)
18.00: (1.75) Tottenham (3.90) West Ham (5.00)
20.30: (6.00) Nott.Forest (4.25) Arsenal (1.55)
Sunday
17.00: (4.80) Wolverhampton (4.00) Newcastle (1.75)
19.30: (1.70) Aston Villa (4.00) Everton (5.30)
Monday
23.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.80) Bournemouth (4.20)
***odds are subject to change***
