As Manchester City gears up for a high-stakes clash against Liverpool, details of a heated dressing-room incident involving Pep Guardiola and Phil Foden have emerged, shedding light on the manager’s intense approach to discipline.
The incident took place last December after City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, a match that saw 23-year-old Foden concede a crucial penalty in the final minutes.
City had taken control of the game with goals from Jack Grealish (28) and youngster Rico Lewis (18). However, Foden’s late challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta (26) gifted Palace a penalty, which Michael Olise (22) converted to deny City victory. Guardiola, renowned for his tactical precision and no-nonsense style, didn’t hold back in the aftermath.
In the Together: 4-In-A-Row documentary, Guardiola is heard lambasting Foden with an expletive-filled rebuke:
“Phil, in the f****** 18-yard box, you don’t touch the opponent. It’s unacceptable, Phil Foden, unacceptable!”
Reflecting on the incident, Foden acknowledged the harsh words and admitted they spurred him on for the rest of the season. Speaking to The Times, he said:
“That’s a side [of Guardiola] he has in him. He lets you know when he’s disappointed, and I don’t mind it. I like honesty. I felt guilty after that game and told myself I had to make it up to the team.”
Guardiola, 53, didn’t shy away from voicing his frustrations publicly either, telling reporters after the game:
“It’s not bad luck; it’s deserved. When you give away this penalty, you deserve it. In the 18-yard box, we have to be careful, and we were not careful.”
While the incident highlights Guardiola’s relentless drive for perfection, it also underscores the growth of Foden, who played a pivotal role in City’s title-winning campaign last season. Now, as Guardiola looks to rally his squad amid recent struggles, including a six-match winless streak, his fiery leadership style could once again prove decisive against a formidable Liverpool side.
