Pep Guardiola has recently drawn flak for snubbing Alan Smith’s handshake after the Community Shield final last weekend. Guardiola, who ended up on the losing side last Sunday, refused to shake Smith’s hands during the awards ceremony. The Spanish manager’s act has now gone viral on the Internet, with many fans criticizing Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City faced Arsenal in the 2023 Community Shield final at Wembley Stadium. The defending Premier League champions lost the match on penalties after the score remained deadlocked during regulation time. While City took the lead in the 77th minute through Cole Palmer, Arsenal‘s Leandro Trossard got a very late equalizer.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola defended his team while reflecting on City’s recent domestic success. He said, “We lost three [Community Shields] in a row. Do you know why? Because we won the Premier Leagues.” However, the former FC Barcelona manager was seen ignoring former Crystal Palace coach Alan Smith during the post-match ceremony.
Pep Guardiola shithousery at its fines…. Completely blanks Alan Smith 👌🏻👌🏻🤣🩵 pic.twitter.com/86QklBIKNU
— Scott Porter 💙📷🔭🌓🌌☄️ (@scottleeporter) August 6, 2023
Pep Guardiola shook everyone’s hands except Alan Smith, which has left fans calling out the veteran coach. One fan said, “Petty pep at it again,” while a second one commented, “Pathetic. A grown man who has won it all is still so petty?” Another fan wrote, “I would have done the same. You talk bad about me, why should I give you attention?” Some fans also pointed out that not only Pep but some Manchester City players also ignored Smith.
Alan Smith responds to Pep Guardiola refusing to shake his hand
While it’s unclear why Pep Guardiola snubbed Alan Smith’s handshake, the 76-year-old has explained his version. A fan asked Smith on Twitter, “Any idea what was up with Pep, sir? Seemed like he was rather intentionally avoiding shaking your hand.” To which, Smith replied, “mmmmm not sure…..not rushing was he……..but he [was] not happy……think he thought I was Arsenal??? [laughing face emoji].“
Mmmmmm not sure…..not rushing was he……..but he not happy……think he thought I was Arsenal??? 😂
— Alan Smith (@AG_Smithy) August 7, 2023
Although there is no such history of hostility between the two soccer managers, Guardiola wasn’t a happy man after losing the final last Sunday. The 52-year-old coach vehemently criticized the new injury-time rules after the match. He said, “Now, every game we’re going to play for 100 minutes. Wasting time, from my point of view, it is not going to be solved by extending 10 more minutes.“
(@MailSport)
🚨Opta analysts have found the ball is in play for an average of just 54 minutes and 43 seconds of the 90 during Premier League matches so far this season. This is a reduction of 99 seconds on last season’s average and a growing trend.#PremierLeague— Total Football Center (@totalfc_) November 19, 2021
According to the latest rules, the match referees need to factor in the time that gets wasted due to substitutions, injuries, set-pieces, and so on. This rule was introduced after a study conducted by Opta found out that the ball was in play for only an average of 54 minutes and 43 seconds in the Premier League last season. Guardiola, however, believes that the new rule will prove to be more tiresome for the players.
