Pep Guardiola has been accused of ‘costing’ Man City a first ever Champions League trophy.
Kai Havertz’s goal proved to be the difference as the Citizens suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Porto.
Guardiola’s bold team selection, which included no holding midfielder with Fernandinho and Rodri on the bench, did not pay off.
The Spaniard also started Raheem Sterling, who had scored just once in his last 15 matches, which resulted in Phil Foden being moved deeper into midfield, despite the youngster starring on the left wing for large parts of the season.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara did not hold back in his assessment of Guardiola, who he dubbed ‘a disgrace’.
He told The Sports Bar on talkSPORT: “I couldn’t believe what I was watching.
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“It’s one of the worst performances I’ve seen from Manchester City in a long time. Bottle jobs. And an absolute disaster of a team selection from Pep Guardiola.
“I cannot believe he got it so wrong in such a big moment.
“Chelsea were brilliant, they were solid, they were organised. They were all over Man City in the first half. They had their number.
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“Guardiola got it so wrong with the team selection with no holding midfielder. If Timo Werner could shoot, it would have been 3-0 at half-time. They were all over them.
“Man City didn’t really create one clear-cut chance apart from the one where Foden was in and [Antonio] Rudiger made a brilliant tackle.
“Reece James had Sterling in his pocket. I cannot believe Sterling even started the game with the form he’s been in.
“I couldn’t believe what I was watching. It was a disgrace from Pep Guardiola.”
At least one of Rodri or Fernandinho had started 59 of Man City’s 60 games this season, however, it took until the 64th minute for the latter to come on in Porto.
O’Hara insists Guardiola’s decision not to change his team at half-time showed ‘arrogance’.
He added: “You could see straight away that Chelsea were getting in the pockets. [Ilkay] Gundogan wants to press, he’s not a holding midfielder!
“The most important player in your team is the anchorman – the player that brings everyone together, the dictator, that’s why they signed Rodri.
“Fernandinho has been one of the best players of all time because they are your rock in your team.
“Look how good N’Golo Kante was because when he’s in your side, you know how to defend, you know he’s going to be there, you know as a midfielder you can go and press because someone is going to be there to protect your back four.
“John Stones and Ruben Dias had their worst games of the season – they had no protection. I can’t believe Foden, who has been absolutely brilliant playing on the left wing or right wing, played in central midfield!
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“Pep Guardiola’s arrogance at half-time to not hold his hands up and say, ‘I’ve got this wrong, we’re still in the game, I need to bring Fernandinho on now and get it sorted’.
“He waited until the 64th minute to change it and then they were in control, but you can’t break down this Chelsea team in half an hour. You need a longer period of time. It was too little, too late.
“Pep Guardiola should go in that dressing room and apologise to every single player because he’s the one that’s cost them the Champions League.”
Queried about his selection, Guardiola said: “I did what I thought was the best decision.”
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