In a press conference that laid bare his deep-seated frustration with officiating, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declared he has "never trusted anything" with referees and VAR, citing two FA Cup final defeats as evidence of the system's failings. Amid a tense Premier League title race, Guardiola insisted his side must focus solely on their own performances, starting with the critical home clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Arsenal kicked off the weekend by moving five points clear at the summit, edging West Ham 1-0 in a game overshadowed by a late VAR review that disallowed a Hammers equaliser. The decision to rule out the goal for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya drew fierce debate, neatly framing Guardiola’s broader concerns about technology’s role in the game. With only two matches remaining, City can cut the gap to two points if they beat Palace, keeping the pressure firmly on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola did not hold back. "We lost the two FA Cup finals because the referees didn't do their job that they should do. Even the VAR," he said. "I have never trusted anything [with VAR] since I arrived a long time ago." These comments offered a rare window into the Catalan’s mindset: for all his success, he believes pivotal moments have been wrested from his control by flawed decision-making. He drove the point home by likening VAR intervention to "a flip of a coin," implying that luck, rather than fairness, often determines the outcome.
Yet Guardiola was careful not to descend into making excuses. "When this happened, it's because we have to do better. Not the referees," he added, channelling the frustration toward self-improvement. "You have to do it better. If you want to be in that position, do better because you have to blame yourselves." This mantra of internal accountability has been a hallmark of his tenure, and he reiterated it as the antidote to the variables his team cannot govern. The message to his squad was unequivocal: control the controllables.
Guardiola stopped short of identifying which FA Cup finals he was referencing, but during his time in England, City have fallen at the final hurdle twice, with both matches featuring contentious moments that left the club feeling aggrieved. His remarks suggest a trust deficit that has only deepened, shaping a siege mentality as the campaign reaches its climax. The manager's broader criticism of "the statements and institutions which rule the competition" hinted at a systematic breakdown rather than isolated errors.
On the fitness front, there was cautiously positive news for the champions. Midfield linchpin Rodri and defender Abdukodir Khusanov are both pushing for returns after spells on the sidelines. Rodri has been absent for four games with a groin injury, while Khusanov has also been working his way back. "They are better," Guardiola confirmed, adding that both would be assessed in training. Their availability could prove decisive, with Rodri’s presence in particular often correlating with City’s control of games.
The visit of Crystal Palace carries its own subplots. Oliver Glasner’s side still have the Europa Conference League final to come after the Premier League season concludes, leading the Austrian to suggest he may rotate his squad. "I'm responsible for Crystal Palace and I get paid for doing the best things for Crystal Palace and not for City and not for Arsenal," Glasner said pointedly. A weakened Palace lineup could hand City an advantage, but Guardiola batted away any suggestion of an easy night. "They are so professional. Crystal Palace will play top against us," he insisted, pointing to recent examples of teams with nothing tangible at stake still delivering committed displays. He cited Leeds United’s fierce performance against Tottenham Hotspur, proving that competitive pride endures beyond league position.
For City, the equation is simple: beat Palace and hope for an Arsenal slip on the final day, when the Gunners themselves host the Eagles. The title is no longer in Guardiola’s hands—a reality he acknowledged without dwelling on it. "Of course, it's not in our hands in this Premier League," he said. But his focus remained laser-sharp on what comes next. "What is important is tomorrow, then we'll see what happens when we get to the next one." This step-by-step approach has underpinned City’s relentless consistency under his guidance.
The psychological edge of Guardiola’s latest outburst may serve to galvanise a squad accustomed to high-stakes run-ins. By externalising the grievance while channelling the response inward, he is attempting to shield his players from distraction. The loss of focus, he warned, leads to "a dangerous situation." As the season barrels toward a dramatic conclusion, City’s ability to harness perceived injustice into performance could define whether they lift a fourth consecutive title.
With both the Premier League trophy and a place in history at stake, Guardiola’s raw honesty has set the tone. Whether it translates into the ruthless efficiency required against Palace will soon be known. For now, his players have been given a clear directive: ignore the noise, improve, and let the rest take care of itself. If they fall short, his words make clear, the mirror—not the referee—will be where they must look. Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
