From Great Champions to Sudden Underdogs: What Has Gone Wrong with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City

 

Having dominated English football under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City now finds itself in an unexpected predicament. After a string of poor performances, including a 2-0 loss to arch-rival Liverpool, the team is winless since October and out of the Premier League title race. 

This decline was further highlighted when City squandered a one-goal lead at home, losing to a revitalized Manchester United side in the final minutes of the match. The situation at City is raising eyebrows and sparking widespread discussion.

 Here's what the UK Media are saying:

Martin Samuel's Analysis in The Times

Martin Samuel of The Times attributes City's struggles to the absence of their key midfielder, Rodri, and the aging squad. He pointed out Kyle Walker's diminishing pace and criticized the club for failing to retain young talent, which has led to a noticeable downturn. Samuel emphasized that while Guardiola has achieved remarkable feats, the team's decline is evident:

*"The decline of certain individuals is obvious. With age an increasing problem, the young talent that has been allowed to leave the club is regrettable,"* Samuel wrote, highlighting the loss of promising players like Cole Palmer.

Henry Winter's Perspective in talkSPORT

Henry Winter from talkSPORT describes City's transformation from "Invincibles to Invisibles," emphasizing a squad overhaul is necessary. He noted:

"Time has caught up with some like Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva. City need new blood, new energy."* Winter suggested that Guardiola's greatest challenge is rejuvenating the team and rediscovering their competitive edge.

Transfer Speculations from the Daily Mail

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, City has turned its attention to Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton for the January transfer window. However, acquiring him may prove difficult due to Palace's reluctance to sell their promising midfielder.

Kevin De Bruyne's Situation

On "The Rest Is Football" podcast, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards speculated on the relationship between Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne. Lineker questioned De Bruyne's limited playing time, wondering if there is tension between the player and coach. Richards added:

"There’s got to be some context to it... De Bruyne is one who can unlock a door."

Guardiola's Gesture and Its Implications

Oliver Brown of The Telegraph observed Guardiola's six-finger salute to Liverpool fans, noting it resembled tactics used by his rival, José Mourinho. Brown suggested this gesture reflects Guardiola's turmoil amid the team's struggles.

Future Challenges and Prospect

The Guardian's Insight

Jonathan Wilson of The Guardian contemplated the unthinkable—Guardiola's departure. Despite the team's current struggles, Wilson argued that no one is better suited than Guardiola to lead City back to glory. However, much depends on the outcome of the Premier League's financial charges against the club.

Manchester City's current struggles present a significant challenge for Pep Guardiola. With questions surrounding the squad's age, internal dynamics, and potential transfers, the path to reclaiming their former glory is fraught with obstacles. However, Guardiola's track record and vision for the club may yet see them rise once more.