Exclusive: Pep Guardiola should have been sent off in Man City win v Club Brugge
Man City manager Pep Guardiola “can consider himself fortunate” not to be sent off after his furious reaction against Club Brugge, says Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Spaniard benefited from a “rather lenient view” from the fourth official after he stomped on a drinks container int he wake of Joel Ordonez’s own goal putting his side 2-1 up.
City managed to squeeze through to the playoff stage of the Champions League knockout’s, with a comeback victory over Club Brugge (29 January).
Guardiola had a strong reaction to the Sky Blues’ second goal of the night and was lucky not to have been sent to the directors box, in Hackett’s opinion, especially given he had already been booked.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola avoids second yellow after outburst
Following a late offside flag in the 55th minute, the former Barcelona manager made his displeasure clear to referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, and was shown a yellow card.
Eight minutes later, Josko Gvardiol sent in a low cross from the touchline, that Brugge defender, Ordonez, turned into his own net.
The Ecuadorian’s unfortunate error made the score 2-1, giving City an important lead as they looked to qualify from the Champions League league stage.
As the camera turned to the Spanish manager, Guardiola could be seen kicking out at a drinks container, seemingly venting his frustrations from a difficult first-half that had seen City head into the break down 1-0.
The City manager had caused a stir by starting Matheus Nunes over Rico Lewis against the Belgian side, and it was the Portuguese man who was largely at fault for Brugge’s opening goal.
Hackett believes that the former Bayern Munich manager should have been sent off for his moment of madness.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief said: “Guardiola on a yellow card kicking out at that drinks container can consider himself fortunate not to have received a second yellow and be sent to the Directors Box.
“The fourth official took a rather lenient view. The referee will not have seen the reaction of Guardiola.”
Guardiola’s decision to start Phil Foden at left-wing was also controversial, as the England international made headlines with his complaints at being played at left-wing by former England manager, Gareth Southgate.
In other news, Man City are set to rival Real Madrid for a Bayern Munich star who worked under Guardiola.
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