What Pep Guardiola told Erling Haaland in heated exchange after Man City win

What Pep Guardiola told Erling Haaland in heated exchange after Man City win Callum McAvoy Published November 29, 2025 7:16pm Updated November 29, 2025 7:17pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Pep Guardiola had a tense exchange with Erling Haaland at full-time (Photo: Getty)

Pep Guardiola appeared to have a tense row with Erling Haaland on the pitch after Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Leeds United on Saturday.

City were expected to cruise to victory at the Etihad and were on course to do so after Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol scored in the opening 25 minutes.

But Leeds rallied after the break and remarkably pulled the game back to 2-2, only for Foden to find the winner in the 91st minute and secure the three points.

It was a frustrating day for Haaland however, who has now blanked in his last three appearances – a terrible run of form by the 25-year-old’s lofty standards.

Though he played the full 90 minutes, the star striker recorded just one shot, 0.13 expected goals, no goal involvements and no big chances. 

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The Norway international has still bagged 19 goals in 18 games this season and is still on course to become the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals.

Nevertheless, emotions boiled over at full-time, with Haaland and Guardiola caught on camera remonstrating with each other, with the manager grabbing his player with both hands around the waist.

Haaland and Pep had a lengthy post match discussion pic.twitter.com/dJ4GFwfIRT

— Guardiolita (@rodrisonfire_16) November 29, 2025

Haaland repeatedly tried to walk away from the conversation but Guardiola was determined to get his point across, though both men had a smile on their face when the exchange finally ended.

Asked post-match what he said to Haaland, Guardiola told BBC Sport: ‘He’ll do it [get his 100th goal] next game.

Haaland has blanked in his last three games (Photo: Getty)

‘Just we talk about rest. He has a huge body. Minutes, minutes, in that moment you’re fresh.

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‘Rest [is] not just the legs [pointing to his head]. It’s not like Phil or Jeremy [Doku], they can rest. Erling is a big man. We need him so much.’

The result moves the Citizens up to second in the Premier League table, with title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal playing each other on Sunday, while Leeds remain in the relegation zone.

Haaland is currently on 99 Premier League goals and the next chance to reach his century will be on Tuesday night when City visit Fulham.

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