Manchester City’s Collapse: Guardiola Faces Unprecedented Crisis

18/12/2024

By RSR Málaga, 18 December


City’s Downfall Since October

Manchester City has been in freefall since their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on 30 October. What seemed like a minor setback has spiraled into the club’s worst run of results since the Emirati takeover, marking the most challenging period in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.

In the 11 matches since that fateful night, City has managed only one win, suffering eight defeats and recording two draws.


A Grim Reality

City’s sole victory came against Nottingham Forest (3-0). In the Premier League, they have been among the worst-performing teams, tied with Southampton, who currently sit bottom of the table. Southampton even parted ways with their manager last weekend, highlighting the extent of City’s struggles.

In the Champions League, City’s woes continued:

  1. 5-1 defeat to Sporting CP.
  2. 2-0 loss to Juventus.
  3. 3-3 draw with Feyenoord.

Their hopes of reaching the top 8 in Europe seem slim, and even advancing to the playoff stage hangs in the balance.


The Numbers Behind the Decline

City’s decline is stark:

  1. Points dropped: Only five points in their last 10 matches across the Premier League and Champions League, despite an expected points tally of 14.63, per Drilab.
  2. Scoring drought: Just eight goals in seven matches, with Erling Haaland contributing only one.

Guardiola’s Reflection

The normally composed Guardiola is under immense pressure. In a candid post-match interview, he admitted:

“I’m the boss. I’m the coach. I have to find solutions, and so far, I haven’t. That’s the reality. We haven’t lost eight games in two seasons, let alone in a few months. There’s no defense for this.”

Upcoming Challenges

City’s immediate focus shifts back to the Premier League, where they face Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester City, and West Ham before 4 January. These matches are critical to stabilizing their season and restoring confidence.


Conclusion: Can City Bounce Back?

With Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City’s ability to recover remains a possibility, but the current crisis is unlike anything the club or its manager has faced before. As the fixtures pile up, all eyes will be on how Pep navigates this storm.