Pep Guardiola: Alfie Haaland can be Man City chef if lasagne is behind Erling’s form

Pep Guardiola has joked he wants Erling Haaland’s father to cook lasagne for his entire squad if that is the secret of his son’s success.

Haaland junior has made a sensational impact at Guardiola’s Manchester City, scoring 19 goals in just 12 appearances – including three hat-tricks – since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

The Norwegian quipped this week that his dad Alf-Inge must have been putting “something special” in the pre-match lasagnes he has been preparing for him.

Guardiola invited Alf-Inge, a City player from 2000 to 2003 to join the party in the kitchen.

The City manager said: “We can make an offer so Erling’s father comes to cook for us. If this is the secret of Erling’s goals I’m going to convince (chairman) Khaldoon (Al Mubarak) to bring him here!

“But I think there’s not only one secret.”

Guardiola was impressed by the way Haaland, 22, handled the hype surrounding his move to City as well as all the attention and headlines that he received.

Alf-Inge is undoubtedly an important player in this regard, but Guardiola believes that Haaland deserves a lot of the credit.

“He is comfortable with the pressure on his shoulders and the expectations, he’s such a normal person,” said Guardiola, whose side host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday. “I think he can handle it.

“I’m pretty sure it was good advice, from father to son. All fathers want the best for their sons, but in the end it’s Erling’s own life and experiences. He must make his own decisions.

“What impresses me the most is how lovely a guy he is and that helps us to live our lives much, much better.”

Sara Gundogan (wife of Ilkay Gundogan) has stirred controversy by claiming that she hasn't been able find a good-quality restaurant to dine in Manchester.

“I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere,” she wrote on Instagram.

Guardiola is co-owner of Tast, a tapas restaurant.

Guardiola said: “I am disappointed it still didn’t prove (itself), my restaurant. This is what bothers me! Gundo won't play another minute!

“I’m going to invite her and Gundo as well. Of course they are going to eat properly.”