Pep Guardiola has welcomed the news that VAR is to be introduced from the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League tournament.
The advent of Video Assisted Referees was also used during this summer’s World Cup finals and UEFA today confirmed the technology will be utilised in Europe’s elite club cup tournament from February.
And speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to face Watford, the City manager spoke enthusiastically about the merits of VAR.
“Welcome. I’m delighted. So delighted. The Premier League is last one (to introduce it). Sooner or later here in England it’s going to happen,” Guardiola said.
“All we are looking for is for to make football better with decisions. The referee wants to do a good job but sometimes they, like I, make mistakes and they will be helped by VAR and that would be good.
“It’s going well in Spain and other places. I think you can be in or out where the ref can’t decide. In just three seconds we can decide if it was a penalty or not, or offside or not, so welcome.
READ: When is the FA Cup third round draw
WATCH: City 3-1 Bournemouth | Extended highlights
“Football is a game of mistakes. That’s why we work a lot to try and avoid those mistakes. With VAR we have extra help and sometimes decisions are down to centimetres. Sometimes it’s so difficult for refs so VAR will be an extra help.”
Guardiola also spoke about the form of Raheem Sterling, who scored his ninth goal of the season in last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Though the England winger is currently some of the finest football of his career, the City manager believing there is even more to come from him.
“He can do better. We are so delighted with what he has done in three years. But he can be more consistent with his control and many, many things. We are delighted but he can do better.”
Click on the video above to see Pep’s press conference in full
