Guardiola Tells Teams To “Do Better” Amid VAR Controversies

‎Pep Guardiola urged teams to “do better” if they want to avoid future VAR flashpoints.

‎Pep Guardiola argued that his Manchester City side has suffered from incorrect replay decisions in the past.

‎He remains frustrated by calls that went against City in their 2024 and 2025 FA Cup final defeats.

‎VAR issues vs Arsenal

‎The debate around officiating intensified after relegation-battling West Ham United had a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out following a lengthy VAR check last Sunday.

‎That incident came in a narrow 1–0 win for title-chasing Arsenal.

‎The result left the league leaders five points ahead of City in the Premier League race.

‎However, City manager Guardiola said players had the power to take VAR out of the equation.

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

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

‎”I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. I always 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.”

‎City VAR issues

‎Manchester City lost 2–1 to Manchester United in the FA Cup final two years ago.

Pep Guardiola felt his team should have had two penalties in that match.

He believed Erling Haaland was fouled by Lisandro Martínez in one incident. He also felt there was another foul on Haaland by Kobbie Mainoo.

More VAR controversy followed in last season’s final, when City were upset by Crystal Palace at Wembley.

‎Dean Henderson was a standout performer for Palace. And the result might have changed if he had been sent off for handling the ball outside his box.

‎But Guardiola insisted he is not dwelling on that match ahead of facing Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday. Where a win for City would cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to two points.

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

‎”Of course, it is not in our hands in the Premier League. I always say to the players, ‘Do it, do it, do it better.’

‎”I always learned that when you lose focus, you are in a dangerous situation.

‎”The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”