Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has criticised Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, accusing him of destroying football.
The retired American goalkeeper believes other teams are trying to copy Guardiola’s system.
The American goalkeeper, who played for several teams including Manchester United between 2003 and 2007 and made 121 appearances for the United States national team, attacked Guardiola’s tactics in Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville’s new podcast.
“I think what happened is Pep Guardiola destroyed football in many ways,” Howard said. “Guardiola convinced everyone that they could play total football. But that’s not true. Not everyone can do it; only three teams in the world can do it. Well, really.”
Total football
In one of its reports, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) provided a comprehensive explanation of the concept of “total football” and stated that “in this method, no player on the field should adhere to his primary position, as the roles here are characterized by absolute fluidity.
He added: “Each player is encouraged to switch roles repeatedly to create devastating attacking patterns of play, but this also requires high levels of football intelligence, great technical ability and good communication.”
🗣️ Tim Howard: “Pep Guardiola has ruined football. Pep Guardiola taught everyone they can play expansive football. They can’t.
Not everyone can do it, but 3 teams in the world can do it very well. pic.twitter.com/86tA1ek6g7
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) September 24, 2024