Pep Guardiola has always demanded more from his players than goals, assists and trophies.
The 55-year-old has called time on his days as Manchester City manager after 10 years, delivering 20 trophies that include City's first-ever Champions League title, and a record four Premier League titles in a row. His former assistant and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly close to replacing him, as Guardiola takes up a role as Global Ambassador for the City Football Group, with him making it clear that an immediate return to management isn't on the cards.
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As reported by The Athletic, a story that emerged from inside the club during what was the final campaign of Guardiola’s tenure perfectly captures that mentality, and interestingly, the example he chose to make his point came from the other side of Manchester.
Guardiola Used Manchester United Star to Make a Point to his Squad
Pep Guardiola at Old Trafford
Pep Guardiola at Old Trafford
Following September’s Manchester derby, a match City won 3-0, Guardiola gathered his squad together for a routine post-match debrief. Players expected the usual tactical breakdown, analysing what City had done well and where improvements could still be made. Instead, Guardiola prepared something completely different.
Rather than focusing on his own team, he directed attention towards the reaction of one United player immediately after Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Guardiola reportedly had clips prepared and ready to show the squad, determined to use the moment as an example of behaviour he’d never want to see from his own players.
The individual in question wasn’t a fringe player, or an inexperienced youngster. It was one of United’s senior figures, a footballer regarded as one of the Premier League’s most talented creators and somebody Guardiola himself is believed to admire greatly.
Guardiola’s issue wasn’t with the player’s ability. In fact, those present say he made a point of acknowledging the player’s quality before delivering his message.
Instead, the City boss focused on the reaction itself. In frustration following the goal, the United star had openly turned on his teammates, visibly berating them as City celebrated. Guardiola used the clip to reinforce the standards expected inside his own dressing room, where public blame and visible frustration towards teammates are seen as damaging behaviours.
The player Guardiola used as the example was Bruno Fernandes, the new holder of the Premier League’s all-time assist record and Player of the Season.
The article explained: “The day after September’s derby, one source who was present describes how the manager did not want to highlight what his players had done — the focus was instead on Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal midfielder was livid with his United team-mates for their role in Phil Foden’s opening goal, openly berating them as City celebrated.
"Guardiola had the clips prepared so he could send a message to his players that while Fernandes is a fine player, displaying such a negative attitude towards his team-mates would not be accepted at City. Guardiola is not averse to public shows of dissatisfaction with his own players during matches and this was another reminder of the standards he expects.”
The incident in question appears to have occurred after Foden scored the opener vs Man Utd in September 2025. As the footage shows below, Fernandes doesn't track his man but immediately expresses his frustration with his teammates instead of taking responsibility.
Pep Guardiola’s Obsession With Mentality at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola
Those close to Guardiola’s methods say moments like this are entirely consistent with how he’s always operated. Throughout his managerial career, he’s obsessed over details many others would overlook, believing mentality and body language are just as important to a player’s game as ability is.
A similar lesson was reportedly highlighted after City’s victory over Arsenal in April. Guardiola pointed to Rodri immediately sprinting forward after losing possession, forcing William Saliba to track him and creating the space for Erling Haaland to score. At the same time, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was said to have hesitated before reacting.
Those tiny differences matter enormously for Guardiola. His belief was that titles are often decided not by moments of magic, but by mentality and reactions in split seconds.
Ultimately, City fell short in the title race this season, as Arsenal ended were crowned champions following two disappointing draws for City against Everton and then Bournemouth. But even during the final weeks of his reign, stories like this suggest the City manager remained every bit as demanding and obsessively meticulous as the figure who transformed the club into one of football’s great modern dynasties.
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