Pep Guardiola issues lengthy animated on-field coaching session for Man City star after Huddersfield win | OneFootball

One Manchester City star was subjected to a very public, on-field coaching session from Pep Guardiola after Wednesday night’s 0-2 win over Huddersfield.

The Carabao Cup third round tie was another demanding stop in City’s relentless September schedule, with Guardiola’s men now deep into a run of matches across all active competitions within the space of just three weeks.

Despite heavy rotation, Phil Foden produced the decisive contributions in West Yorkshire, scoring the opener inside 20 minutes before setting up Savinho to seal victory midway through the second half.

Teenage debutant Divine Mukasa also caught the eye – alongside first appearances for Reigan and Jaden Heskey – linking neatly with Foden for the first goal, while goalkeeper James Trafford returned to the side and recorded a clean sheet.

Huddersfield had only a handful of moments, striking the post through Cameron Ashia late on, but the Premier League side’s superior quality ultimately carried them through to the fourth round, where they will meet Championship outfit Swansea City.

The victory also offered Pep Guardiola another opportunity to integrate emerging players and refine tactical details in real match scenarios. Nico Gonzalez, who has endured speculation around his City future in recent months, was a clear focus of Guardiola’s attention at full-time.

The Spanish midfielder, who only arrived during the January market from FC Porto and has been battling for rhythm in England, was singled out for an animated and detailed one-on-one coaching session on the pitch before supporters and cameras.

Speaking on Nico with reporters after the game, Guardiola praised how ‘coachable’ the Spaniard is, highlighted by their animated on-field interaction after the full-time whistle.

“Nico’s a guy who listens a lot and wants to improve and asks me what to do in different circumstances. When you are on the pitch, it’s better because you are there and can explain better. Nico is a young lad and he is incredibly coachable,” said Guardiola.

“When players want to be coachable, it’s a gift for all the managers. There were others who it is more difficult to tell them. These guys must be helped until the end and he has to realise especially in the second half as much as we were able to contact with him and make control forward and break the lines, every time was a chance.”

The Manchester City manager continued, “Three times in the second half we broke the lines with Phil [Foden], Rico [Lewis] and a winger arrived it was a chance. He has to use more and more. He has this potential to do it. In the next games, in his process he will get it.”

While Pep Guardiola’s visible teaching style drew attention, it is consistent with his history of offering live, detailed instructions to young or developing players, whether on the training ground or the pitch itself, with similar interventions seen in with the likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Raheem Sterling in recent years.

For Nico Gonzalez, this moment could be a turning point, as his coach’s public investment suggests a longer-term plan for his development, despite earlier reports hinting at uncertainty around his role heading into the current campaign.

With Guardiola now urging him to break lines and provide progressive options, the 23-year-old may find himself with increased opportunities in upcoming fixtures across the Premier League and domestic cups.

Looking ahead, City’s packed schedule could offer Gonzalez further minutes to implement Guardiola’s demands, particularly with rotations expected as the squad prepares for Swansea in the Carabao Cup fourth round later down the line.