Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester City (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola's tenure at Manchester City could be under threat as the team faces a crisis, reminiscent of his departure from Barcelona. After a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Guardiola's side have now suffered nine defeats in their last 12 matches, a stark contrast to their previous successes, including the treble in 2023.
The club's current form is a far cry from its glory days and echoes the decline Barcelona experienced under Guardiola before his departure in 2012. In a revealing interview with Audi in 2014, Guardiola admitted: “I felt like not being able to lift the title again,” a sentiment that might resonate with City fans today.
“We had incredible success. Winning 14 trophies in just four years was the greatest period in the club's history. But gradually I found it more and more difficult to motivate myself and motivate the team. “team. That's when you know it's time to walk away.”
As City languish in seventh place in the Premier League, 22nd in the Champions League table and out of the Carabao Cup, questions arise over whether Guardiola's magic has worn off and if it's time to change direction.
Guardiola, 53, has won six Premier League titles from a possible eight since arriving on English soil in the summer of 2016. However, their recent downturn shows that even they are not immune to the effects of Father Time.
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola leaves after a news conference May 24, 2012 at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium on the eve of the 2012 Copa del Rey final soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona. AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/GettyImages) (Image: LLUIS GÈNE/AFP/GettyImages)
Players such as Kyle Walker (34), Ederson (31), Ilkay Gundogan (34) and injury-prone Kevin De Bruyne (33) have been scrutinized as potentially past their peak at City. With several senior contracts expiring in 2026 and 2027 (including Guardiola's), it appears City are nearing the end of an era.
The club is currently awaiting the outcome of 115 charges of alleged spending violations. Serious accusations of inappropriate spending and financial doping have hung over the club for some time now, with the verdict due in early 2025.
Amid this uncertainty and the recent disruption caused by the results on the pitch, it appears that the Etihad leadership is indeed struggling to find motivation. And it wouldn't be the first time the issue has led Guardiola to cut ties with a club, fearing he can no longer get the best out of his players.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1992268/pep-guardiola-s-11-word-message-after-quitting-club-telling-man-city