Sarcastic Pep Guardiola has made a return during today’s pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa. The Manchester City manager had faced criticism for his post game discussion with Jack Grealish following Manchester City’s nil-all draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Bein Sports host Richard Keys was possibly the harshest critic of Guardiola’s post-match discussion with Jack Grealish. Keys said that Guardiola was performing in front of the camera and that he should save that discussion for the dressing room. Keys said: “Save it for the dressing room. It’s all for the cameras, isn’t it. Go down the tunnel. He shouldn’t even be on the pitch.”
“Go down the tunnel! He shouldn’t be on the PITCH!”@richardajkeys tells us how he feels about Pep Guardiola! #beINPL #MCIARS #MCFC pic.twitter.com/7gz9DP5dnv
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) March 31, 2024
The City manager was asked about his interaction with Grealish during his pre-game press conference ahead of tomorrow’s nights clash with Aston Villa. Sarcastic Pep made his return when he told the media: “Yeah, I do it for the cameras, for my ego. No I’m the famous person in the team, and I don’t get recognised, and I need the cameras for my ego to go to sleep with incredible satisfaction. So that is the reason why. Always I try to criticise the players there and let them feel how bad they are, and especially when Erling (Haaland) scores three goals, the compliments has to be with me. Not with them.”
“I do it for my ego… for the cameras.” 😂
Pep explains why he argues with his players on the pitch after the game
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) April 2, 2024
Read more: Pep Guardiola rules out a key defensive trio of Aston Villa clash.
The criticism of Guardiola’s coaching methods at times does seem ridiculous. Given his track record of success across his managerial career, Guardiola’s methods are proven. The coaching of his players on the pitch is a part of the package that makes Guardiola so successful. It is highly doubtful that he will change his methods due to a small piece of criticism.
While the return of sarcastic Pep was a light-hearted moment, tomorrow’s clash with Aston Villa is a tough game for Manchester City. Unai Emery’s side is fighting for a place in the Champions League and will be no pushover at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening. There is no doubt that Guardiola and his team will be focused on the challenge posed by Aston Villa. If it takes the City manager to do more coaching on the pitch to help his team to victory, there is no doubt that Guardiola will do it again to guide his team to victory.