Pep Guardiola, manager of Premier League's Manchester City, said he won't apologize for urging more fans to attend the home game against Southampton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Man City hosted and beat Red Bull Leipzig 6-3 in their first UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday in front of some 38,000 fans at the 54,000-seat Etihad.

"I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday. We will need the people next Saturday, please, because we will be tired. I invite all our people to come next Saturday, 3 p.m. (10 a.m. ET), and watch the game," said Guardiola after the game.

The call for attendance however upset City's official supporters' club and its General Secretary Kevin Parker, who told Guardiola to stick to coaching in response.

"He doesn't understand the difficulties that some people might have getting to a game at the Etihad on a Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. [BST]. They have got kids to think of, they might not be able to afford it, there are still some COVID issues about... I don't see why he comments on it. He's absolutely the best coach in the world but, in the nicest possible way, I think maybe he should stick to that," said Parker.

Though Man City won the Premier League title in three of the past four seasons and reached the Champions League Final last season, they rarely saw a fully-seated home stadium, which separated them from other heavyweights like Liverpool, Chelsea and of course, Manchester United.

Guardiola soon weighed in on Parker's remarks. "An interpretation is an interpretation. I am not going to apologize for what I said. It's not the first time I said in my career – I said it at Barcelona and Bayern [Munich] Did I say after the game that I was disappointed that the stadium was not full?" the manager said at a press conference on Friday.

"When we played a tough game like Leipzig and play three days later [against Southampton] I know how difficult it is, to ask for us all to do it again on Saturday again. What I said was we need the support, it doesn't matter how many people come but I invite them to come and enjoy the game because we need the support," added Guardiola. "I am entirely grateful for the support that we had against Leipzig, away, at home. I always say if guys want to come we will be incredibly grateful because I know how difficult the game will be and I know we need our people. I never sit here and ask why people don't come? If you don't come then don't. I will not apologize to him."

"I know the history. I learned the history of this club, what it means to travel and follow this team. I don't want to be like United, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Madrid, like all the big clubs, we are who we are. I like it. To misunderstand and put some words in my mouth I didn't say, I don't like it. I will never have a problem with my fans. If I have a problem I will step aside, I am one of them. Since day one I've tried to do my best."

Man City are currently fifth on the ranking table of Premier League with nine points and 3(win)-1(loss) record.