Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

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The Football Faithful

·3 March 2026

Guardiola agrees with Slot on growing Premier League problem

Pep Guardiola says that he agrees “in some ways” with Arne Slot that set pieces are making the Premier League a less enjoyable spectacle to watch.

The Liverpool boss said in his press conference on Monday that “most of the games” he sees in the top flight these days are “not a joy to watch”.

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Slot has accepted that this is the “new reality of the Premier League”, while adding that the division is “always interesting because it’s so competitive”.

Pep Guardiola agrees with Arne Slot on Premier League set piece issue

Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Guardiola said that teams have to adapt to the rise of set pieces

“Set-pieces have started to be important. It was different when I started as a manager,” the City said on Tuesday afternoon.

“When I was a young boy we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. I remember perfectly, so nothing has changed in that way.

“Arsenal dictate how they do it and it is an important aspect. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much but now so many teams do it. It is part of the dynamics.

Read – Slot says ‘football heart doesn’t like’ set piece reliance

“You can sit and complain but you have to adapt. It’s part of the game. You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is conducted in the Premier League. Every country has a specific way to do it and every club have specific ways they play.

“I understand completely why and in some ways I agree [with Slot].”

When asked about the proliferation of pushing and pulling in the box during corners, Guardiola responded: “I have my own opinion on that but I will keep the opinion of what happens in the box to me. I won’t share with you. I have shared it with the players a long time ago.”

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