Pep Guardiola says he partly agrees with Arne Slot’s comments that the Premier League is less enjoyable to watch, but added his Manchester City team are adapting to the increasing importance of set-pieces.
Guardiola likened the widespread use of long throw-ins and holding in the penalty area in the league to the rise of three-pointers in the NBA following the success of the Golden State Warriors due to the long-range shooting of Steph Curry.
Liverpool boss Slot said on Monday he believes most Premier League games “are not a joy to watch” and expressed a wish for this year’s World Cup winners to play attractive football and score goals from open play.
Guardiola did not specify which parts of Slot’s comments he agrees with, but did discuss set-pieces interrupting the rhythm of a match, and also focused on how holding in the box is being refereed.
“When I was a young boy we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal,” he said at his Tuesday press conference. “I remember perfectly when I was a young boy, so nothing has changed in that way.
“It is true Arsenal dictate a little bit how they do it and it is an important role. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much but the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry [started] to make three points and everyone adapted, now so many teams do it.
“It is part of the evolution and part of the dynamics. You can sit and complain but you have to adapt. It’s part of the game. I know the game is stopped with set-pieces, it is not dynamic but it is part of the game.
“You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is whistled and conducted in the Premier League. Every country has a specific way to do it and every club has specific ways to play with the managers and the teams. I understand completely the reason why Arne said that and in some aspects I agree.”
Guardiola was asked whether he had a solution to the amount of holding and pushing that goes on at set-pieces in the Premier League but insisted that he would not be drawn on it.
“I don’t share with you,” he said. “I have shared it with the players a long time ago. What happens inside and outside of the box remains absolutely to me and I don’t want to share it with you.”
City, who are second in the standings, face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday night.