Manchester City is experiencing an unprecedented crisis under Pep Guardiola, suffering four consecutive losses for the first time since his arrival in 2016. With key players injured, including Rodri, and facing financial scrutiny over alleged regulatory breaches, uncertainty surrounds Guardiola’s future as his contract nears its end. The upcoming international break is crucial, as City will face pivotal matches against Tottenham, Feyenoord, and league leaders Liverpool, determining their chances for a fifth consecutive title.
For the first time since Pep Guardiola took the helm in 2016, Manchester City has suffered four straight losses, marking a significant turning point for the club.
Following a narrow 1:2 defeat to Brighton last Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s words reflected a sense of resignation: ‘After seven years with six Premier League titles, maybe another team deserves it this time.’ The Spanish manager is currently confronting the most challenging period of his managerial career.
The club’s troubles have compounded with a cup exit against Tottenham (1:2), a disheartening Champions League defeat to Sporting Lisbon (1:4), and league losses to Bournemouth (1:2) and Fabian Hürzelers (1:2). This string of poor performances is unusual for the ambitious Guardiola, who now finds himself repeatedly addressing questions regarding his future.
Uncertainty Surrounds Guardiola’s Future
Guardiola’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, and there are currently no indications that he will extend his stay at the club. His prior contract renewals in 2020 and 2022 were both announced during the league break in November, but it seems unlikely that a similar announcement will occur this year.
Adding to the uncertainty, Txiki Begiristain, one of Guardiola’s closest allies and the sporting director who brought him to Manchester in 2016, has announced his departure at the end of the season after nearly 13 successful years with the club.
Financial Scrutiny on Manchester City
The future of Guardiola aligns with the club’s own precarious situation. Manchester City, primarily owned by the Abu Dhabi ruling family, is facing allegations of 115 breaches of financial regulations that occurred between 2009 and 2018. The Premier League filed charges in February, and the ongoing trial since September could lead to severe repercussions, including title revocation and potential relegation.
While Chelsea splurged over 600 million euros on transfers in the 22/23 season, Manchester City is grappling with the aftermath of these financial violations. The recent summer transfer window highlighted the club’s tough circumstances, with only Brazilian Savinho acquired for 25 million euros from FC Girona and Ilkay Gündogan joining on a free from Barcelona, contrasting sharply with their 260 million euros spent on new signings the previous summer.
This restrained approach in the transfer market is now proving detrimental, as the team, boasting the most expensive yet one of the smallest and oldest squads in the Premier League, faces significant injury challenges.
Key Players Missing for Manchester City
Rodri, the Spanish World Footballer, has become irreplaceable for the treble winners of 2023. The 28-year-old, pivotal to Guardiola’s strategy since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, suffered a cruciate ligament tear in September and will be sidelined for several months.
The impact of Rodri’s absence was starkly evident last season when City lost all three matches he missed due to suspension—these being their only defeats in the Premier League. Despite this setback, Guardiola remained optimistic, stating the loss of such a crucial player was ‘a big setback […], to play for a long time without the best midfielder in the world’, but he is determined to find solutions: ‘We will still have a good season – I trust my players.’
Rodri’s absence will be felt for months
‘Unprecedented Injury Crisis’
However, Guardiola’s trust in his players is challenged by the fact that many key players are also unavailable. Alongside Rodri, several regulars including Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and captain Kyle Walker have missed multiple matches this season.
After the League Cup defeat to Tottenham, Guardiola expressed concern over the injury crisis: ‘Most of the players who played yesterday had physical problems, and we need to see how they recover before the next game. I think we are in trouble because in nine years we have never had this situation – so many injuries for so many reasons.’
Crucial Weeks Ahead for Manchester City
The upcoming international break offers a much-needed pause for Guardiola. ‘I will think during these ten days, clear my head, and the players will come back fit, that’s the goal’, he remarked about the time without games.
Upon returning, his squad faces a series of critical matches. The first challenge will be against Tottenham, the team that began City’s losing streak in the League Cup. This will be followed by a tough encounter with Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Champions League, leading up to a highly anticipated showdown with league leaders Liverpool on December 1, 2024.
A loss in these matches could jeopardize Manchester City’s chances of claiming a fifth consecutive championship, potentially marking Guardiola’s last opportunity to secure the English title, and possibly for the club as well.