Following Manchester City’s shocking loss to Brighton, manager Pep Guardiola was caught in a heated exchange with Jan Paul van Hecke on the pitch. Despite the tension, Guardiola revealed that he simply advised the Dutch defender to “stay on his feet” during clashes with Erling Haaland.
After City took the lead with a goal from Haaland, Brighton staged a comeback, ultimately securing a victory. Guardiola’s conversation with Van Hecke seemed to address the defender’s physical play against Haaland, who was briefly tangled with before the final whistle.
In his post-match press conference, Guardiola elaborated on the exchange, stating: “He was strong with Erling. I said: ‘When Erling stands up to you, stay on your feet, don’t go to the grass’. But he played a really good game.”
With Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table, Guardiola expressed doubts about City’s chances of securing a fifth consecutive league title. He acknowledged the need for swift changes within the team to reverse their recent string of defeats.
As City regroups during the international break, Guardiola emphasized the importance of winning games again and adapting to the tough schedule ahead. Despite their recent struggles, Guardiola hinted that maybe another team “might deserve” the title this season, pointing to Liverpool’s strong performance against Aston Villa as a potential indicator of their determination.
