Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has launched a stunning attack on Pep Guardiola's conduct, accusing the Manchester City boss of using dubious gamesmanship to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Late Drama and Managerial Fury
In a thrilling Premier League encounter, Leeds United staged a magnificent second-half comeback from two goals down, only to be denied a precious point by Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner. The match, played on November 30, 2025, saw Daniel Farke's battling side claw their way back to 2-2, but the late goal means they remain in the relegation zone.
The major flashpoint occurred in the second half when Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down with a mystery injury. Seizing the moment, Pep Guardiola called his entire team over to the touchline for an impromptu team talk, a move that infuriated the Leeds bench.
Farke's Blunt Assessment
Speaking after the match, a visibly frustrated Daniel Farke did not hold back in his criticism. He admitted he would never resort to such tactics himself and called on football's authorities to address what he perceives as an unfair advantage.
"It is within the rules. It is smart," Farke conceded, recounting his conversation with the fourth official. "I asked the fourth official at this point if he wanted to do something and he said ‘No, our hands are tied, we can’t do anything’. If we don’t educate our players in football, what to do in terms of fair play, sportsmanship, if you just try to bend the rules to your advantage and you can do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is nothing that I personally like."
Farke explicitly suggested that the choice of the goalkeeper going down was calculated, stating, "The goalkeeper knows. There is a reason why the goalkeeper goes down, and not an outfield player." He concluded that the responsibility for a solution lies with the game's governing bodies, not fellow managers.
Guardiola's Defence
In response to the growing controversy, Pep Guardiola offered a different perspective. He claimed to have believed Donnarumma’s injury was genuine, even instructing substitute goalkeeper James Trafford to warm up in case he was needed.
"I didn’t speak with Gigio," Guardiola told reporters. "When it happened I looked back to the dugout and said ‘James, warm up’. I don’t know. Next press conference you can ask me and I will ask Gigio."
Despite the bitter disappointment, Leeds' fightback from a 2-0 deficit showcased their resilience. However, the nature of the defeat, compounded by the controversial circumstances, leaves Farke and his team with a sense of injustice as their battle for Premier League survival continues.
