In a candid admission of accountability, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shouldered the blame for the club’s poor run of form this season, describing it as the worst spell of his illustrious managerial career. The reigning Premier League champions, who have dominated English football with six titles in the past seven years, find themselves 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
A hard-fought 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday offered some respite but marked only their second win in 14 matches, an uncharacteristic slump for a team synonymous with excellence under Guardiola’s stewardship.
A Manager’s Introspection
Speaking after the match, Guardiola reflected on the downturn, acknowledging that the root of the problem lies with him.
“There are many aspects to managing a team, and clearly, I’ve missed something,” Guardiola said. “There’s something I’m not doing well. When you lose as many games as we have, the responsibility falls on the manager. I haven’t been able to provide the team with what they need to regain confidence.”
The 52-year-old, now in his ninth season at City, emphasized that the players are not to blame.
“It’s on me first, not the players,” he added. “It’s natural for players to have a dip in form, and that’s where my role becomes critical. I failed to lift them, and this is the reality.”
Unprecedented Struggles for a Serial Winner
Guardiola’s managerial career, spanning triumphant stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, has rarely witnessed such a prolonged period of underperformance. Despite previous seasons where City started slowly, this campaign’s struggles have been unparalleled.
“Over the past four title-winning seasons, we’ve been behind by six points or more at times, but we’ve never been this inconsistent,” he admitted. “I should have found the solutions, and that’s why we are where we are.”
Injuries and Setbacks
The City boss acknowledged the impact of injuries on the team, including the absence of pivotal midfielder Rodri, who has been sidelined due to a significant injury.
“We were the only unbeaten team in Europe until October 30 and top of the league,” Guardiola explained. “But we’ve been hit by injuries and other challenges. Still, I should have found a way to get better results despite these setbacks.”
Looking Ahead
Guardiola, renowned for his tactical genius and ability to inspire, is now tasked with reigniting his team’s faltering campaign. While he accepts full responsibility for the dip in form, the Spaniard’s track record suggests he will leave no stone unturned in finding solutions.
“This isn’t about sympathy,” Guardiola said. “I lead this group of players, and I take full ownership of our position. The challenge now is to move forward and find the consistency we need to compete at the highest level again.”
As Manchester City battles to regain its footing, Guardiola’s introspective approach may serve as a turning point for a team eager to reclaim its dominance in English and European football.
