Pep Guardiola has spectacularly blamed referees and VAR for Manchester City’s failure to win two FA Cup finals, claiming officials “didn’t do their jobs” when it mattered most. The City manager’s extraordinary outburst comes after years of near misses in England’s most prestigious cup competition.
What Guardiola Actually Said
The Catalan manager didn’t hold back when discussing his team’s FA Cup disappointments. “We lost two FA Cup finals because referees and VAR didn’t do their jobs,” Guardiola stated, pointing the finger directly at match officials for costing his side silverware. This isn’t the first time Guardiola has complained about refereeing decisions, but blaming VAR for final defeats represents a new level of direct accusation from the City boss.
His comments suggest that controversial decisions in both finals directly impacted the results, though Guardiola hasn’t specified exactly which matches he’s referring to. Given City’s recent FA Cup history, these were likely the 2019 and 2023 finals where they lost to Watford and Manchester United respectively. The timing of these remarks, made on Wednesday 13 May 2026, raises questions about whether this is a response to a recent incident or accumulated frustration.
The Matches in Question
Manchester City have reached three FA Cup finals under Guardiola’s management, winning one and losing two. The defeats came in distinctly different circumstances, yet both involved moments of controversy that left City fans feeling aggrieved. In 2019, they were heavy favourites against Watford but capitulated in shocking fashion at Wembley.
The 2023 final against Manchester United was far closer, with City dominating large periods but ultimately falling short in a match that featured several debatable refereeing decisions. Guardiola’s suggestion that VAR failures cost them both games implies specific incidents in each final where technology either failed to intervene or made incorrect calls. The lack of detail in his criticism frustrates rather than clarifies the situation.
Guardiola’s History of Referee Complaints
This latest outburst fits a familiar pattern from Guardiola, who has consistently criticised refereeing standards since arriving in England. His complaints about VAR in particular have become a regular feature of his post-match comments, with the City manager rarely satisfied with its implementation. Other managers have noted this tendency, with some suggesting it’s become a convenient excuse for disappointing results.
The irony isn’t lost on neutral observers that Guardiola’s teams have benefited from numerous generous decisions over the years. His selective memory when it comes to officiating decisions has prompted eye-rolling from rival supporters, who point out that City have received their fair share of fortunate calls. Still, his passion for the game and desire to protect his players is understandable, even if his methods are questionable.
The Broader VAR Debate
Guardiola’s comments reflect wider dissatisfaction with VAR implementation across English football. The system has been criticised for inconsistency, with similar incidents receiving different treatments depending on the match official. Fans and pundits alike have questioned whether VAR has improved the game or merely added confusion to an already complex sport.
What makes Guardiola’s intervention significant is his position as one of the most respected coaches in world football. When he speaks about officiating standards, people listen – even if they don’t necessarily agree with his conclusions. The debate around VAR effectiveness will continue regardless of his latest intervention, but having such a prominent voice join the criticism adds weight to calls for reform.
My Take on Guardiola’s Outburst
Look, I’ve got no time for managers whining about refereeing decisions. Guardiola’s entitled to his opinion, but blaming officials for losing cup finals is the sort of excuse you expect from someone who can’t accept that their team wasn’t good enough on the day. Yes, VAR is imperfect – absolutely shocking at times – but great teams overcome bad decisions. That’s what separates champions from nearly-men.
If Guardiola spent half as much energy working on his team’s mental weakness in finals as he does moaning about referees, City might have a better record in these showpiece events. The simple fact is that over two finals, his side failed to produce the necessary quality when it mattered most. Stop blaming the officials and start blaming yourselves.