After securing a convincing 4-0 victory against Brighton, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola publicly reprimanded winger Jeremy Doku for his performance during the match. Despite the team’s success, Guardiola expressed his displeasure with Doku’s on-field actions, particularly his turnovers, and conveyed his disappointment directly after the game.
Doku, who entered the game as a substitute in the 78th minute, was the recipient of Guardiola’s criticism, which was delivered in front of the departing home fans at the AMEX Stadium. This incident is not an isolated one, as Guardiola has previously engaged in similar confrontations with players such as Jack Grealish and Joshua Kimmich. When asked about these on-field disputes, Guardiola humorously attributed them to his “ego” and the desire for attention from the cameras.
Despite the unconventional nature of Guardiola’s approach, it appears to have motivated the team, as Manchester City secured a comfortable win with goals from Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, and Julian Alvarez, positioning them just one point behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to bringing out the best in his players, Guardiola’s unorthodox methods have proven effective in driving results for Manchester City. However, the long-term impact of such public admonishments on players like Doku remains to be seen.