- Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has vowed to rebuild his team amid the worst run of form in his career
- Guardiola emphasised his commitment to the club, pointing to injuries to key players like Rodri and others as a major factor in the team's struggles
- City have suffered five consecutive defeats and a 3-3 Champions League draw after leading 3-0 against Feyenoord
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed determination to overcome the club’s current crisis, labelling the challenge as a key reason for his recent contract extension until 2027.
City, who have set numerous records during Guardiola’s eight-year tenure, are enduring their worst spell in his managerial career, going six games without a win. Their struggles include five consecutive defeats and a dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord, where City squandered a 3-0 lead in the final 15 minutes.
Guardiola’s frustration was apparent during the week, as he appeared at a press conference with scratches on his face, which he admitted were self-inflicted. Despite the visible tension, the 53-year-old made it clear that he was not prepared to give up,
“I don’t want to run away. I want to be there. I want to rebuild the team,” he said ahead of their clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
City’s recent form has left them trailing Liverpool by eight points, with a potential defeat at Anfield on Sunday, December 1, threatening to widen the gap to 11. Guardiola emphasised the importance of the match, describing it as an opportunity to restore the team’s former stability and confidence.
The treble-winning manager acknowledged that City’s current fragility has also made them susceptible to setbacks,
“In the first moments of adversity, I don’t know how we are going to react, in the past, when we were 3-0 up, the game was dead. Now, it’s not the same.”
While critics have called for a major squad overhaul, Guardiola dismissed the notion, instead pointing to injuries as the root cause of Manchester City’s decline. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is sidelined for the season with a knee injury, and several key players have been unavailable in recent weeks,
“We don’t have six, seven important players, the squad is really good, but it’s tough when so many players are out.”
As City prepare for a high-stakes showdown at Anfield, Guardiola remains optimistic about the long-term outlook,
“Step by step, the players come back, and hopefully, we can be together for a long time,” he said.
Man City faces uncertain future as Guardiola holds his cards to his chest
Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester City’s future hung in the balance as Pep Guardiola talked about the departure of Txiki Begiristain, the club’s long-serving director of football.
While Begiristain’s influence will be missed, Guardiola is also faced with questions about his own future. With his contract expiring at the end of the current 2024/2025 season, the Spanish manager has hinted at being “closer to leaving than staying” after securing City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in May.
