Pep Guardiola he is usually a man who tends to avoid causing much controversy when watching his team from the sidelines.
In previous years, his Manchester City side have swept all before them, but it seems their aura of invincibility is starting to wear off.
The Spaniard was clearly not amused as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool, which severely dented any ambitions they may have had of a fifth domestic title in a row.
Amid home fans chanting that Guardiola was going to be sacked in the morning, he waved six fingers – the number of league titles he has won with City.
Is the end of an era near? With Guardiola’s collapse seemingly coming as his side hit their worst run of form since taking over in 2016, we’ve taken a look at some of the biggest managerial meltdowns to happen on the pitch over the years…
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1
The theatrics of Louis van Gaal
Man Utd v Arsenal, February 2016
Manchester United they certainly weren’t boring under Louis van Gaal, that’s for sure.
The Dutchman spent two years at Old Trafford, leading the club to FA Cup in 2016, but that was as good as it got for the manager. Premier League Fourth and fifth place finishes weren’t enough to keep him in the job.
Although perhaps his funniest and most memorable moment was his touchline dive during a match against Arsenal in 2016. Annoyed that Alexis Sanchez dived on the pitch, Van Gaal fell to the ground in front of fourth official Mike Dean to make his feelings quite clear.
“I was emotional. It doesn’t happen too much. Normally I sit on my bench and I get a lot of criticism for sitting on my bench. I apologized to the referee and the linesman. I have to control my emotions,” the manager said afterwards.
2
Jurgen Klopp is losing the plot
Napoli v Borussia Dortmund, September 2013
Referees and officials eventually got used to Jurgen Klopp’s antics at Liverpool, but one of his most striking moments was during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
The German side were facing Napoli in the Champions League when Klopp became so furious after a decision that the fourth official had to back up physically to avoid contact with the German.
Not long after, the Premier League witnessed some of Klopp’s best meltdowns, but this one for Dortmund was arguably his angriest manager.
3
Pep Guardiola upset as City denied penalties
Liverpool v Manchester City, November 2019
With six Premier League titles to show for it, Guardiola had previously shown his frustration in front of an Anfield crowd after being frustrated by two penalty appeals turned down by referee Michael Oliver.
When a cross hit Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arm in Liverpool’s penalty area, the Spaniard lost the plot as he waved two fingers in the air, indicating how many penalties his team should have taken.
It didn’t end there though. Once the game was over and Manchester City had failed to get a positive result, Guardiola walked onto the pitch in a bad mood, before repeating “Thank you very much” as he shook Michael Oliver’s hand rather firmly.
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4
Nigel Pearson grabs James McArthur
Leicester v Crystal Palace, February 2015
During of Leicester City defeat to Crystal Palace under Nigel Pearson, the manager reacted badly to a brawl on the pitch.
James McArthur and Marc Albrighton were involved in a brawl that saw the Palace star roll at Pearson’s feet.
Instead of helping him up, Pearson grabbed the Scotsman by the throat, thinking it was his fault. He later dismissed the incident as “very light”.
5
Arsene Wenger sent to the stands
Man Utd v Arsenal, August 2009
Arsene Wenger ruled Arsenal for almost two decades. While he may have led the Gunners to three league titles and seven FA Cups, some of his best moments have come on the front line.
One of the most iconic moments in Premier League history came as Wenger was sent off at Old Trafford in 2009 after kicking a water bottle after a late goal was disallowed.
However, he found no place in the stands and continued to stand on a stand in front of the United fans, who took great delight in his suffering as they continued to boo him.
Mike Dean asked him to move, to which Wenger held out his arms as if to say ‘where am I going?’, creating one of the most memorable images of the Premier League era.
6
José Mourinho’s outburst
Chelsea v Swansea, August 2015
Jose Mourinho is no stranger to causing controversy, on or off the pitch. During his second spell in charge of the Blues, he guided them to the Premier League title in 2015. Unfortunately, things began to unravel at the start of the 2015/16 season.
During the opening day’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City, team doctor Eva Carneiro ran onto the pitch with physio to treat an injured player. Mourinho lost his cool on the sidelines.
He reacted angrily as the treatment of Eden Hazard meant the club would be down to nine men, calling the duo “impulsive and naive” after they tried to help the player.
7
Alan Pardew’s head
Hull v Newcastle, March 2014
Alan Pardew was involved in one of the most incredible clashes in the Premier League as he was sent off for a header. of Hull City David Mailer.
Meyler pushed it Newcastle United The manager went over when he tried to pick up the ball after going offside, before Pardew closed in on him and head-butted the Tigers midfielder in the process.
“I apologize to everyone, I shouldn’t have been involved. I didn’t mean any harm to the guy but I moved my head forward and I shouldn’t have done that,” Pardew said after the incident, but he couldn’t. to take away from how irresponsible he was at the time.
