Pep Guardiola’s “Unimaginable” Manchester City Rest Decision Divides Opinion in Germany

Pep Guardiola’s latest tactical twist has sparked debate across Europe — and this time, it’s not about formations or substitutions. Ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, the Spanish manager’s decision to cancel his team’s final training session has left the German press asking: “Arrogant or clever?”

According to BILD, Guardiola scrapped City’s scheduled pre-match session at the Etihad on Tuesday, giving his players an unscheduled day off instead. The squad was instructed to stay home and recover before regrouping on Wednesday morning — a highly unusual move by elite football standards, particularly before a major European tie.

In Germany, such a decision would be, as BILD put it, “unthinkable.” Dortmund manager Nico Kovac is known for his disciplined routines, including light warm-ups and football tennis sessions at the team hotel even on matchdays. By contrast, Guardiola’s players enjoyed a rare full day of rest despite facing a side that had two extra days to recover.

The Catalan manager, however, insists there’s nothing revolutionary about the move.

“It’s something we’ve done before,” Guardiola reportedly explained. “After a demanding run of matches, the players needed rest more than repetition.”

His confidence in City’s preparation, built over years of meticulous work, appears to underpin this unconventional approach. Still, the reaction in Germany has been mixed — some view it as brilliant man-management, others as risky overconfidence.

For Dortmund, who pride themselves on relentless physical readiness, Guardiola’s calm defiance of convention seems almost alien. Local pundits have described it as “unimaginable” and “borderline arrogant,” especially given that City have been tested by a demanding Premier League schedule.

But those familiar with Guardiola’s methods know rest is a strategic tool in his playbook. The Spaniard often rotates heavily and modifies workloads to keep intensity peaks for key matches. After grinding through the autumn fixture list, his players are said to have welcomed the pause.

Guardiola’s philosophy has always been about control — of the ball, of the game, and increasingly, of player workload. His view that mental freshness can be as decisive as physical sharpness isn’t new, but it continues to divide opinion. Critics argue that skipping training before a Champions League game invites complacency; supporters counter that it’s the hallmark of trust and long-term planning.

In the modern game, where fatigue is the silent opponent, Guardiola’s decision could be seen as innovation — or indulgence. The result in Dortmund will likely determine how it’s remembered.

In our view, this isn’t arrogance — it’s Guardiola’s calculated confidence in his system and squad maturity. Few managers can afford to give players a complete rest before such a high-stakes fixture, but City’s well-drilled structure and tactical discipline make them an exception. The rest day could re-energise key figures like Rodri and Foden, who have carried heavy minutes in recent weeks.

Still, it’s a fine line. Should City stumble in Dortmund, critics will label the decision hubristic. If they win comfortably, it’ll be yet another masterstroke from a manager who constantly challenges football’s unwritten rules.

City face Borussia Dortmund tonight at the Etihad in the Champions League before their next Premier League home game against Liverpool this weekend. With a refreshed squad and rested legs, Guardiola’s experiment will soon face its test under the Etihad floodlights.

👉 City fans — do you think Guardiola’s decision to skip training was smart rotation or unnecessary arrogance?