The Catalan is struggling to turn things around at the Etihad, so maybe fast-forwarding a split would suit both parties
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Every week, Manchester City seem to be hitting their lowest point. The abyss sinks deeper, the nadir is renewed and the more impossible it looks to reverse the decline.
The Cityzens are in free-fall, even in spite of Pep Guardiola signing a new contract midway through their ongoing run of one win in 11 games. Rodri's ACL injury sustained in September triggered a crisis which isn't any closer to ending. Sunday's sudden defeat to Manchester United was all the confirmation the world needed of that.
With each defeat and each dropped point, you wonder just a little bit more if the Catalan coach regrets his decision to renew that deal. In reality, it might not even matter. There's no guarantee over how long Guardiola will remain at the Etihad Stadium, and there's a compelling case that he should indeed walk away.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPFrequent public meltdowns
Guardiola is a rather emotional and occasionally over-the-top character at the best of times. At the worst of them, he's bordered on ballistic and (hopefully) simply unserious.
He had to issue a public apology after insinuating he was self-harming, such was the stress of watching City blow a three-goal lead late on against Feyenoord in a Champions League encounter. Speaking to former team-mate Luca Toni about this issue, he said: "The nails, yes, I did them on my nose. I am a person who is nervous sometimes. I have bad days, I mess up a lot, and rudeness makes me nervous. Do I lose my mind sometimes? Yes. I sleep badly and I don't digest food well. I always have to eat light. Only soup in the evening."
His raspy exasperation rose to the fore again after Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. "I knew it would be a tough season at the beginning but I didn't think it would be this hard. I am the boss. I am the manager. I have to find a solution. I am not good enough, it is simple at that. I am not doing well, that is the truth."
Guardiola's enthusiasm for the game has certainly helped elevate him as one of football's best-ever managers. It's fine to watch in awe when it's going well, but it's of concern when not. Right now, his distress is palpable, seeping into every nook and cranny of the club.
AdvertisementAFPDescent into Mourinho-dom
An old joke in England decreed that Liverpool fans would whine on about the past and proclaim that next year would be 'their year'. It's why it was so much more ironic that Guardiola tried to taunt the Anfield faithful with a similar gesture after losing 2-0 last month.
As the Merseysiders chanted that Guardiola would be sacked in the morning, he stuck up six fingers to denote how many Premier League titles he had won, reminiscent of Jose Mourinho sticking up three at the end of a press conference after his Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham in August 2018.
The Mourinho metaphor even extends to a new feud between the two legendary managers. 'The Special One' and Guardiola have gone back and forth over City's 115 alleged breaches of financial rules casting a cloud over the Catalan's legacy. It shouldn't have been worth his time to retort, particularly now with such a challenge ahead.
Getty Images SportSleepwalking to the rebuild
City winning four Premier League titles in a row – the first team to complete such a feat – was built on Guardiola's nous and a core group of key players who had interchangeable figures around them. By the club's lofty standards, though, their squad turnover always appeared a concern waiting to arise.
Their summer addition of Savinho from City Football Group-owned Troyes has not yet paid dividends despite some early promise, while the emotional decision to bring back Ilkay Gundogan sent them back to the past. In 2023, they splashed out over £230m ($290m) on Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes and Claudio Echeverri. Some of those names have had their moments, but none have been a unanimous and undisputed success to this point.
City's only successful major purchases of the post-lockdown era have been Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, the latter of whom forced his way out to Atletico Madrid a few months ago. Manuel Akanji and Stefan Ortega at a combined £15m ($19m) have proved incredibly useful too, but the hit-rate has been far too low to sustain success into a new era without ripping up the tree straight from the root.
Factor in their prior youth prospects like Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Jeremie Frimpong and Pedro Porro are all thriving away from the Etihad Stadium and you start to question the work of outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain. Guardiola's work building the collective has been far more invaluable to City.
AFPOld guard have outstayed their welcome
City's lack of ruthlessness cutting the cord with their current crop has also played a significant role in their downfall.
Once reliable stalwarts like Kyle Walker have become error-prone liabilities who are under no threat. Bernardo Silva, who has wanted out several times in recent years, hasn't been able to pick the lock.
Ederson was temporarily dropped and then surprisingly reinstated before dropping further clangers. Even national heartthrob Jack Grealish, at the measly price of £100m, has flattered to deceive and is now without a club goal in 45 games.
They will all go down as City legends, but the cracks were beginning to appear as early as two seasons ago that this group was on the decline. It's fair to have ignored the warning given how much success they've brought, though they can have few complaints at how it has all fallen apart all the same.
