Pep Guardiola aims sarcastic blast at critics after his public dressing down of Jack Grealish after Manchester City drew with Arsenal to drop points in the Premier League title race
- Guardiola had a debate with Grealish on the Etihad pitch after the final whistle
- It isn’t the first time City boss has used such a public forum to criticise players
- Have a day off, Pep! Guardiola’s lecture to Grealish on the Etihad pitch was unnecessary, says Ian Ladyman – It’s All Kicking Off
Pep Guardiola has taken aim at critics of his management style after the Manchester City manager’s debate with Jack Grealish on the Etihad pitch.
Grealish was taken to one side by Guardiola following Sunday’s goalless draw with Arsenal and given instructions on how he might have attacked Mikel Arteta‘s back line.
It’s a tactic that Guardiola has often used during his eight years at City, with Raheem Sterling once given a sermon in the immediate aftermath of an FA Cup win at Wembley.
Pundits and supporters have claimed that the 52-year-old only holds those animated discussions on the pitch for the cameras.
‘I do it for the cameras, my ego,’ Guardiola said sarcastically. ‘I’m the famous person of the team and I need the cameras on me to go to sleep with incredible satisfaction.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola have Jack Grealish a very public dressing down after their goalless draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
The City boss made it clear that he was unhappy with Grealish’s cameo against Arsenal
‘I always try to criticise the players there and let them know how bad they are. Especially when Erling (Haaland) scores three goals, the cameras have to be on me.’
City dropped more points in the three-way title race against Arsenal and need to bounce back when they face Aston Villa on Wednesday night before travelling to Crystal Palace.
Guardiola confirmed that goalkeeper Ederson and captain Kyle Walker remain sidelined, while suggesting that the injury Nathan Ake picked up at the weekend could keep him out for weeks.
John Stones was a surprise name on the bench last Sunday but remains touch and go for Villa – and Guardiola warned that City’s experience in title run-ins counts for nothing as they fight for a fourth consecutive crown.
‘Experience is over – it doesn’t count,’ Guardiola said. ‘It’s about Aston Villa. When we were able to win a lot of games in a row before, we weren’t thinking about how many we were able to do.
‘I would like to tell you but I don’t know. All I can do is prepare well against Aston Villa.’
