Pep Guardiola told what Phil Foden thought of Man City’s performance mid-interview and his response was savage
Pep Guardiola responded brutally when asked why he substituted Phil Foden during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Brentford on Tuesday evening.
City surrendered a two-goal lead at the Gtech Community Stadium.
However, Foden, 24, looked back to his usual self, with his brace against Thomas Frank’s side doubling his goal tally for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
But he was replaced by James McAtee on 87 minutes with Guardiola, 53, explaining the reasons for his decision after the game.
Foden gave an honest interview after the match and admitted that his side looked “tired” in the last “20 minutes” of proceedings.
“We just looked tired at the end, the last 20 minutes,” said Foden.
“We looked a bit leggy, they put the pressure on and put the ball into the box. I don’t think we coped with the physicality at the end.”
“We kind of let our form slip,” he added.
“Giving easy balls away. It’s something to learn from and move onto the next game. Possibly [tiredness played a part], or it’s just the challenge they give you.”
Guardiola echoed Foden’s words, explaining why the England international was withdrawn late into the game.
“That’s why I replaced him,” said Guardiola in his post-match press conference.
Phil Foden: We looked a bit leggy at the end 😴
Pep Guardiola: Leggy? That’s why HE [Foden] came off! 😂
🔗 https://t.co/qH2pN0Nbnd pic.twitter.com/4xVcbSUJWN
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) January 14, 2025
“The schedule is so demanding and we have a lot of absences that would give us that composure and physicality. [Mateo] Kovacic came back from injury, Rodri is not there, Bernardo [Silva] made an incredible effort.
“We know that but at 0-2 we could manage it a little bit better.
“At 0-2 we didn’t accelerate the game. Brentford is a team that is so aggressive.”
Of course, letting leads slip has become an unwanted habit for the Premier League champions with the City boss admitting that this is “something to think about” having recently conceded two late goals in the 2-1 loss against Manchester United in December.
“I would say give credit to the opponents,” Guardiola added.
“I think was a little different to the United game but yes, it’s true, I have to think about it.”
City are back in action against Ipswich at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon before they travel to Paris where they will face PSG on Wednesday 22 January.
