‘I do it for the cameras’, Guardiola offers sarcastic response about confronting players on the pitch

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sarcastically claimed he did “it for the cameras” after confronting Jack Grealish in public following the draw with Arsenal.

Guardiola was seen giving Grealish a series of instructions on the pitch immediately following Manchester City’s goalless draw against Arsenal on Sunday. Guardiola’s confrontation with his players on the pitch after games often has drawn criticism from pundits.

In his press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola offered a sarcastic response when asked about his encounter with Grealish in the middle of the pitch at full-time

“I do it for the cameras, for my ego,” Guardiola said. “I’m the famous person of the team, if it’s on camera then I can sleep because I have incredible satisfaction.

“I always try to criticise the players there and let them know how bad they are.

“When Erling (Haaland) scores three goals, the compliments have to be with me, not with them, that’s why I use the cameras to do it. My advice next time is; don’t film us and it will not be a problem.”

Man City are three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and one point behind Arsenal with nine games left. Guardiola’s team host fourth placed side Aston Villa on Wednesday.

“It’s just winning games, that’s what we have to do,” he said. “We have not many chances to drop points but there are still nine games.

“Our experience is over, it doesn’t count. What counts is Aston Villa, before it was Arsenal. When we were able to win lots of games in a row, it’s not thinking how many we would be able to, I don’t know.

“The only thing is to now prepare well for Aston Villa.