Manchester City in crisis
Pep Guardiola and his horror record
November 24, 2024 – 9:21 p.mReading time: 2 min.
Manchester City are eight points behind Liverpool. A setback for the team and a situation for coach Guardiola that he recently experienced with Bayern.
It is an unusual picture that is currently emerging in the Premier League. After twelve match days, Liverpool FC under coach Arne Slot is at the top of the table and is eight points ahead of Manchester City. For Pep Guardiola’s team, in contrast to the “Reds”, nothing comes together. Manchester City, who have won the last four championships in a row, suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Saturday – their fifth in a row.
The last three games in the Premier League were lost. In addition to Tottenham, the team also lost against Bournemouth (1:2) and Brighton (1:2). Also in the Champions League 1:4 against Sporting Lisbon and in the EFL Cup 1:2 against Tottenham. Pep Guardiola admitted on Saturday: “We are not used to losing so many games in a row. It happened. We have to do everything we can to turn things around, especially in the next game.”
Because then it’s against the league leaders on December 1st. Guardiola said: “I didn’t think we would lose three Premier League games in a row. But the reality is that things like that happen in football and in life.” Not all coaches are unfamiliar with losing three league games in a row, but Guardiola is.
The last time the 53-year-old experienced something like this was many years ago. Strictly speaking, such a negative series for Guardiola goes back to his time with the German record champions. But first things first and back to Manchester City.
In the 2023/24 season, the Premier League club suffered two defeats on the seventh and eighth matchdays against Wolverhampton (1:2) and Arsenal (0:1). A season before that there were a total of five bankruptcies, but they did not follow one another, but happened on the eleventh, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 38th matchdays. In the 2021/22 season there were only three defeats spread over the 38 match days. There was also a few claps the season before. But three in a row? The last time this happened at Manchester City was in the 2008/09 season. That’s why Guardiola said: “In eight years we have never experienced a situation like this.”
This happened to the coach in the 2014/15 season when, as coach of FC Bayern Munich, he lost with the team against Leverkusen (0:2), Augsburg (0:1) and Freiburg (1:2) at the end of the season. After six championship titles in a row, winning the 2023 Champions League and two FA Cup victories, the Cityzens are now in crisis with a horror record. Guardiola, who only extended his working paper until 2027 during the week, admitted that his team is currently “fragile”. A situation that he has to change quickly if the team wants to have a say in the championship.
How can Manchester City rebuild their confidence after a series of losses?
Title: Manchester City in Crisis – An Exclusive Interview
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good evening and welcome to our special segment on the current crisis at Manchester City. Joining us today is football analyst and management expert, Dr. Elena Vasquez. Dr. Vasquez, thank you for being here.
Dr. Elena Vasquez: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing topic.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right into the heart of the matter. Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, is currently facing a challenging situation, having lost five matches in a row. What do you think is the root cause of this crisis?
Dr. Elena Vasquez: It’s quite multifaceted. We could point to several factors—injuries, tactical missteps, and perhaps fatigue from the previous seasons. However, I believe a crucial element is the psychological pressure of maintaining their status as defending champions. When a team dominating the league struggles this way, it can lead to a psychological spiral.
Interviewer: You mentioned psychological pressure—how significant is the mental aspect in sports, particularly for a coach like Guardiola, who has enjoyed so much success in the past?
Dr. Elena Vasquez: The mental aspect is vital. Guardiola’s history at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich shows he’s accustomed to winning consistently. Thus, facing a streak of losses can be particularly shocking for him. He admitted that this is an unfamiliar territory, and it’s important for him to manage his own expectations while also rallying the team.
Interviewer: Guardiola’s admission of being unaccustomed to losing helps shed light on the unprecedented nature of this situation for him. With losses to teams like Tottenham and Bournemouth, how should Guardiola approach the upcoming match against Liverpool?
Dr. Elena Vasquez: That match is pivotal—not just for points but for restoring confidence. Guardiola needs to instill belief in his players, focusing on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. Implementing a solid strategy is essential. He might consider a more defensive setup to stabilize the team, allowing them to regain their confidence before fully unleashing their attacking prowess.
Interviewer: If he can’t turn things around quickly, do you think his job could be in jeopardy? After all, underperforming teams sometimes show the door to even the most successful managers.
Dr. Elena Vasquez: While that’s a possibility, it’s essential to look at Guardiola’s overall contribution to the club. His track record speaks volumes, and clubs often take a long-term view. However, the management must weigh expectations against performance. If the downward trend continues, they will have to make hard decisions—though I expect Guardiola to be given a bit more leverage due to his past success.
Interviewer: Right. It seems that Liverpool, currently leading the league, may further capitalize on City’s struggles. What strategies should Guardiola instill to keep City competitive?
Dr. Elena Vasquez: City needs to find a way to tighten their defensive structure. They were historically known for their attacking flair, but right now, focusing on a strong defense could serve them well. Guardiola must also ensure that key players who can turn the tide remain motivated and involved. The balance between defense and attack must be meticulously calculated to regain their footing against rivals like Liverpool.
Interviewer: Valuable insights, Dr. Vasquez. where do you see Manchester City in the next few months if they manage to turn things around in this critical stretch?
Dr. Elena Vasquez: If they can rally in the next couple of matches, they could regain momentum. The Premier League is unpredictable, and a turnaround could set off a positive chain reaction, pushing them back up the table. However, if the poor form continues, the rest of the season could be challenging, potentially impacting their Champions League aspirations as well.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Vasquez, for your expert insights. It will certainly be interesting to watch how this unfolds for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in the coming weeks.
Dr. Elena Vasquez: Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out—it will be a critical moment in their season!