Guardiola Urges Man City to Rise Above VAR Controversies

Pep Guardiola, the astute manager of Manchester City, has issued a clear directive to his squad: elevate their game to render Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions irrelevant. Guardiola’s stance, as reported by the Ghanaian Times, is that while officiating and VAR can be contentious, the ultimate power to control outcomes lies with the players on the pitch.

“

We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR.

"We have to do better, not the referees or VAR," Guardiola stated, reflecting a philosophy that places agency firmly within the team's control. He pointed to past grievances, including controversial calls in FA Cup finals and recent Premier League fixtures, such as West Ham's disallowed equalizer against Arsenal, which indirectly benefited City by keeping the title race tight. Guardiola’s perspective is that dwelling on external factors like VAR is counterproductive; instead, the focus must be on executing their own game plan with superior quality.

“

When this happens, it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.

This perspective from Guardiola is particularly interesting from a Ghanaian viewpoint, where football is followed with immense passion. While European leagues often debate the intricacies of VAR, the core message from Guardiola – that individual and team performance are paramount – resonates universally. It speaks to a fundamental principle of sports: that excellence on the field should ultimately decide matches, regardless of technological interventions or officiating errors. Guardiola’s emphasis on self-improvement and resilience in the face of perceived injustices is a message that transcends the sport, offering a broader lesson in overcoming adversity.

“

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 for what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.

Guardiola's insistence on 'doing better' is not just about winning; it's about asserting control in a game where external factors can often feel overwhelming. For Manchester City, aiming to close the gap on Arsenal in the Premier League, this mindset is crucial. As they prepare to face Crystal Palace, Guardiola's focus remains steadfast on his team's performance, reinforcing the idea that their destiny is in their own hands, not subject to the whims of VAR.

“

You have to do better and better for yourself, and that is focusing on Crystal Palace for us.