Has Pep Guardiola been forced to ditch his love affair for Stone Island by Dsquared2?
He's famed for his love of Stone Island, but Pep Guardiola may have had to ditch his favourite fashion house in favour of Manchester City's official fashion wear partner Dsquared2
WHEN Pep Guardiola first landed on our shores, the maverick manager loved wearing Stone Island.
During preseason games the 46-year-old Man City boss could be seen dishing out orders in various Stone Island jackets and jumpers.
In press conferences, he often took his coat off and revealed the fashion house's famous logo on his arm on a tidy jumper.
Even on the bench during games, Pep wasn't afraid to show his love for the Italian high-end designer.
Often wrapped up warm in the latest line from their winter collection instead of an expensive, fitted designer suit, Pep looked the part.
However, ever since Man City inked a massive fashion deal with Stone Island's fashion rivals Dsquared2 last year, The Citizens manager has had to be a little more discreet.
In fact, fans on Twitter noticed in recent weeks that Pep has gone to the trouble of removing the Stone Island badge from his jacket while on the touchline.
And in the Manchester derby, Pep was seen wearing what looks like a Dsquared2 jacket with Man City's logo sewn in.
Does that mean that Pep has been made to ditch wearing Stone Island for Man City's official fashion wear partner?
Stone Island v Dsquared2
STONE ISLAND
- Founded in Italy in 1982 by designer Massimo Osti
- Known by its compass logo which is buttoned on to the left sleeve
- Became synonymous with 90s football fans thanks to movies like The Football Factory
- American rap superstar Drake loves wearing Stone Island jumpers
DSQUARED2
- Founded by Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten in Italy in 1995
- The brand's motto is ' Born in Canada, living in London, made in Italy'
- In 2006 they designed the suits for Juventus, and in 2009 did the same for Barcelona
- They became Man City's official fashion partner in October 2016
We'll let you decide.
But away at Leicester, when City sneaked a 2-0 win, Guardiola looked pensive in his Stone Island soft-shell hooded jacket.
The £400 jacket was lacking one major detail though, and that was the fact that the badge had been carefully removed.
Fast forward to last weekend's Old Trafford clash, and Pep's ditched the Stone Island number completely.
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Of course, on European duty in the Champions League Guardiola has always travelled in style wearing Dsquared2 clobber.
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But is the Spaniard now contractually obligated to wear Dsquared2 clothing for Premier League games?
It begs the question, and given the evidence, it looks like Guardiola is having to tone down his love affair with Stone Island.
However, he was back in his favourite jumper - minus the Stone Island logo on the sleeve - for Tuesday's press conference.
But his City players still must toe the line when it comes to travelling with the first team for those all-important Champions League games.
When Leroy Sane and co. arrived in Naples to face off against Napoli back in October, the squad rocked a Dsquared2 £345 denim shirt.
Matched with black ties, smart grey trousers and smart Dsquared2 bomber jackets worth £600, their travel wear befitted a team dominating the Premier League.
And cast your mind back to last season when City travelled to the Nou Camp to take on Messi, Neymar and Suarez.
City's elegant lads pulled off a different grey and black Dsquared bomber jacket, denim jeans, white shirts, ties and a £305 pair of trainers.
That total outfit cost an incredible £1,735... who said footballers travel light these days?