For Pep Guardiola, it was a rallying cry ahead of what he expects to be a tough game.

For some Manchester City supporters, it was an ill-timed comment that questioned the loyalty of the club’s fan base.

A clash has broken out between City’s esteemed manager and a section of the team’s followers after Guardiola’s plea for “more people” to attend City’s Premier League home match against Southampton on Saturday — three days after a hard-fought 6-3 win over Leipzig in the Champions League at Etihad Stadium.

Kevin Parker, the general secretary of City’s official supporters’ club, said he was surprised by the remarks and suggested Guardiola should stick to coaching, but the manager said his words were misinterpreted.

“Did I say after the game that I was disappointed that the stadium was not full? I am not going to apologise for what I said,” Guardiola told in a news conference on Friday.

“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. I am entirely grateful for the support that we had against Leipzig.

“I never sit here and ask why people don’t come. If you can’t come then don’t. I will not apologise to him (Parker).”

Guardiola added that defenders Aymeric Laporte and John Stones, who missed the midweek Champions League win with muscle injuries, had not recovered in time for Saturday’s game, but he expected fellow centre back Nathan Ake to be available.

Guardiola described Southampton as one of the toughest opponents City faced last season and credited their improvement to manager Ralph Hasenhuettl, who he faced with Bayern Munich when the Austrian led RB Leipzig to second in the Bundesliga.

“They are so brilliant, they are incredibly organised. I know Ralph from my period in Germany, it will be a similar game to Leipzig,” Guardiola said.

“I saw how difficult it was for my team in the dressing room and I know Southampton will be tough, so I asked the people to come help them (the team).