Pep Guardiola has expressed his deep mistrust of VAR technology, insisting that Manchester City cannot afford to rely on the video assistant referee system as they battle Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The City manager likened VAR to a "flip of a coin," arguing his players must control their own destiny through superior performance rather than hoping for favourable officiating decisions.
Guardiola's frustration intensified after Arsenal consolidated their five-point lead over City following a controversial decision in their weekend victory against West Ham. VAR official Darren England intervened to overturn what appeared to be a legitimate equaliser from Callum Wilson in stoppage time, ruling that a foul had occurred during the build-up. For the Manchester City boss, this latest incident epitomised why he refuses to entrust his side's fate to the Stockley Park booth.
A History of VAR Controversy
Guardiola's scepticism stems from painful personal experience in domestic cup competitions. He highlighted two recent FA Cup finals where he believed VAR failed City catastrophically. In the 2024 final against Manchester United, Erling Haaland was fouled in the penalty area without a spot-kick awarded, and the striker appeared to be held during a subsequent corner. The 2025 final saw Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson seemingly handle the ball outside the area without sanction. These moments crystallised Guardiola's conviction that relying on the system represents a dangerous strategic error.
"I never trust anything since they arrived a long time ago," Guardiola stated. "Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because VAR is a flip of a coin." This philosophy—prioritising control and self-improvement over external factors—has defined his managerial approach across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City.
Staying Focused on Execution
With City holding a game in hand but trailing Arsenal in the standings, Guardiola is demanding absolute concentration from his squad. The immediate challenge arrives Wednesday night with a trip to Crystal Palace, followed by another FA Cup final against Chelsea. Rather than dwell on VAR grievances, Guardiola insists his team must execute at the highest level, accepting that superior performances—not institutional decisions—determine outcomes in the modern Premier League.
The manager's unwavering message to his players remains consistent: focus entirely on what lies within their control. As City pursues both domestic silverware and a record-extending fourth consecutive league title, Guardiola's dismissal of VAR dependency signals his unshakeable belief that domination through precision will ultimately trump any refereeing controversy.
