Clothing retailer Topman has been forced to distance itself from the atrocious overcoat Pep Guardiola wore on the touchline against Borussia M’gladbach, we can exclusively reveal.
The 50-year-old was a walking accidental Partridge in his woolly jacket at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Wednesday evening, the garment being covered with a large Man City badge like he’d sat on some paint before it dried.
And, with social media ablaze with speculation rife that men’s clothing store was responsible for the ridiculous item, Topman has issued a statement dispelling those rumours.
Pep Guardiola is getting pretty angry on the touchline. He’s probably just seen what’s on the back of his coat.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 24, 2021
“We pride ourselves on providing quality, affordable casualwear for the urban sophisticate – or at least anyone who thinks they’re too good for Primark,” the statement read.
“However, we cannot condone the flagrant offence against taste and decency that we have been associated with us on numerous social media platforms in the past 24 hours.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City v FC Schalke 04 at Etihad Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The statement continued: “While in the past we have outfitted Mr Guardiola with a range of grey and black sweatshirts, trousers and those weird cardigans he always wears, we cannot take responsibility for the decorative decisions he makes with the items once they are in his possession.”
And there could be further consequences for the City chief, who was thought to be close to signing a deal with the retailer to promote their knitwear lines. However, that is not said to be in some doubt now, with the menswear seller said to be “keen on targeting a younger demographic”.
“Nothing is confirmed,” a source said, “but they’re hoping to strike a deal with RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann soon, who needs a makeover like Sheffield United need points.”
RB Leipzig’s German coach Julian Nagelsmann shouts instructions to his players from the touchline during the UEFA Champions league group H football match between Manchester United and RB Leipzig at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 28, 2020. (Photo by Anthony Devlin / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, asked for a response, a Manchester City spokesman clarified that the marketing department had “augmented” the manager’s jacket before the game.
“When we arrived in Hungary for the game we realised Pep had no officially licenced club gear for a game that could be huge in boosting City’s worldwide support into the hundreds – if not thousands.
“Naturally we went straight to the nearest arts and crafts shop and painted a giant f**k off club badge on the back of his coat.”
And the results?
“We’ve had incredible engagement with the coat. We’re already selling it in our online store. I’ve been told we might sell as many as four today!
That’s huge for brand City.”
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