Pep Guardiola with Stefan Ortega. Picture credit: Optus Sports

Pep Guardiola reveals surprising message to Man City keeper Stefan Ortega in heated exchange

by · Daily Record

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Pep Guardiola has revealed what he said to Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega during a heated post-match discussion.

The Spanish coach was spotted grabbing the German shotstopper and becoming extremely animated on the pitch after they conceded two late goals in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Brentford. Many onlookers were under the impression the manager was berating his player for letting City collapse after being 2-0 up going with 10 minutes to go.

Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard did the damage and it could be forgiven for putting the former Barcelona boss into a spiral of anger. However, what Guardiola later revealed he said about Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol, who he also remonstrated with, is not what fans would expect.

Post-match, Guardiola revealed: "[Gvardiol] played incredible! I was satisfied! The same with [Ortega]. I said how good he played, the actions with the ball, the pass to Erling [Haaland], how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players and what they have done."

Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola talks to Josko Gvardiol (Image: Getty Images)

Guardiola also told TNT Sports at full time that his side's decision-making was the cause of collapse. He said: "We're a bit disappointed but at 2-0 up we didn't manage to hold on to the lead and unfortunately we couldn't close the game. Today we didn't take the right decisions in the final third. I had the feeling that we didn't take the right decisions in the final third to close the game."

Guardiola is know for these kinds of heated on-field rants with his players. Erling Haaland was on the receiving end at half time of a 3-0 win at Burnley in August 2023. Pep has even done it to other players, including Nathan Redmond who he praised in animated style after City's 4-0 win over Southampton in November 2017.

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