Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola has called on the club’s management from Abu Dhabi to allow him the opportunity to turn around the current slump of his team, which has been experiencing an alarming series of defeats. On Friday, Guardiola stated his intention to confront the challenge head-on rather than stepping back from it.
Recently, City faced a setback of five consecutive losses, culminating in a troubling 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League, where they surrendered a three-goal advantage from the 75th minute. The team now faces another daunting task on Sunday when they go up against Premier League leaders Liverpool, a match that threatens to extend Guardiola’s longest winless streak as a manager.
Guardiola acknowledged the uncharacteristic nature of these results for a club of City’s stature but emphasized the need to accept the situation. He expressed his desire to remain at the club, stating, “For sure I want to stay here, I want to do it, but the moment I feel I’m not positive for the club, another one will come. But I want the opportunity to try. I don’t want to run away. I want to be there. I want to rebuild the team.”
As a coach who has secured six Premier League titles in eight seasons at City and won their inaugural Champions League title, Guardiola maintains regular dialogue with the club’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. He assured that they are working towards finding a resolution to the current struggles, even acknowledging that the club has the right to make decisions if results do not improve.
Guardiola is confident in his ability to reverse the team’s fortunes and believes he merits time to implement changes. “I have it all on my shoulders. I want it,” he remarked, recognizing the pressures of success in football. He pointed out the reason for his current standing, saying, “People said, ‘Oh, why is Pep not in trouble? Why is he not sacked?’ What we have done the last eight years is why we have this margin.”
When a reporter referenced the notion of a “crisis” at City, Guardiola played it down but confessed uncertainty regarding when the team would achieve a return to form. Following the encounter with Liverpool, City will also confront Nottingham Forest, currently sitting in seventh place, on Wednesday.
Guardiola expressed optimism about the team’s eventual rebound, stating, “We will be back — I know that. I don’t know when, that is the truth. We have to accept that it is completely normal — maybe the exceptional past wasn’t what we face now. How we stand up again, this is the big success in life. It’s how many times you stand up, again and again and again, whatever happens.”
In a notable visit, retired tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, was seen at City’s training facilities. A known Real Madrid supporter, Nadal was in England to witness his team play against Liverpool in the Champions League. Guardiola commented on the joy of meeting Nadal, highlighting him as one of the greatest athletes, discussing the challenges of sustained success in sports.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta referred to City’s current struggles as merely a “bump” and expressed reluctance to dismiss them from the title race. Having previously been an assistant to Guardiola, Arteta noted this unusual phase for the club, signifying the high standards they have maintained over the years. “For them, it’s very strange because in nine years they’ve never had it,” he stated, sharing insights into the demanding environment that surrounds top-tier football. In such a setting, perfection in performance, squad fitness, and favorable circumstances is crucial.