Pep Guardiola on VAR: Make Performances Decisive, Not Referees
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must “do better” to avoid VAR controversies and insists players can make video reviews irrelevant. Speaking ahead of the Crystal Palace match, he reflected on disputed FA Cup final calls and urged his side to focus on securing a win to close the gap on Arsenal.
The City boss reflects on past FA Cup final decisions and calls on his side to be decisive enough to leave little room for replay reviews...
Pep Guardiola says he wants his players to reach a level where VAR stops being a talking point ahead of City’s clash with Crystal Palace.
The Manchester City boss feels teams need to “do better” to cut down on the controversies that come with video reviews. He still feels City were hard done by in recent FA Cup finals, pointing to calls that went against them in both 2024 and 2025.
VAR was back in the spotlight last weekend when West Ham had a late equaliser against Arsenal ruled out after a long check. The 1-0 win for Arsenal stretched their lead at the top to five points over second-placed City.
Manager’s Preview:
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 12, 2026
🆚 Crystal Palace (H)
🏆 @premierleague
🎙️ @PepTeam
▶️ Watch: https://t.co/ki1WtisyQE pic.twitter.com/chZ5G77Ph1
Guardiola argued that players themselves can reduce VAR’s influence by making their performances decisive enough to leave little room for debate.
“We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn't do their jobs they should do, even the VAR,” said Guardiola.
“When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”
Two years ago City lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, and Guardiola felt his team should have been awarded two penalties after challenges on Erling Haaland by Lisandro Martínez and Kobbie Mainoo.
There was more VAR debate at Wembley last season when City were stunned by Crystal Palace in the final. Dean Henderson starred for Palace with a penalty save, but Guardiola pointed out the result could have changed if Henderson had been dismissed for handling the ball outside his box.
Despite that, Guardiola said he isn’t focused on last year’s final as City prepare to face Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday. A win would bring City within two points of Arsenal at the top of the table.
“You have to do better and better for yourself, and that is focusing on Crystal Palace for us,” said Guardiola.
“Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, 'Do it, do it, do it better'.
“I always learned that when you lose the focus, you are in a dangerous situation.
“The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”
Signature @ErlingHaaland 😮💨✨ pic.twitter.com/glBGD9tHuE
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 12, 2026
No comments:
Leave comment here