Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is enduring one of the most challenging seasons of his career, with his team's recent struggles highlighted by a shocking 2-1 home defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Despite leading the Premier League for the past four seasons and boasting a stellar record of trophies, City’s current form has been far from their usual high standards.
The reigning champions have lost eight of their last 11 games across all competitions, a slump that has left them fifth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by nine points. Addressing the disappointing performances, Guardiola took full responsibility, candidly admitting, "I'm the boss, I'm the manager, and I'm not good enough. It's as simple as that. I'm not doing well. That is the truth."
Guardiola's tenure at Manchester City has been defined by incredible success, with 15 major trophies, including the Champions League, making him one of football's most decorated managers. Over his illustrious career, spanning stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City, Guardiola has secured 33 major titles. However, this season's struggles represent an unprecedented challenge.
Sunday's loss against Manchester United saw City concede late goals to Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, sparking boos from disheartened fans at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, acknowledged the uphill battle, saying, "I knew it would be a tough season from the beginning. I said it many times, even when we were winning, but I didn't expect it to be this hard."
The disappointing run has raised questions about City’s ability to maintain their dominance. While Guardiola remains committed to turning things around, the team’s inconsistency has cast a shadow over their title defence and underscored the magnitude of the challenges ahead.