Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged that he would likely have faced dismissal at any other club following the Premier League champions’ challenging winless streak earlier this season.
City prepares for a crucial clash against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday, aiming to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League. After struggling with form, Guardiola’s team has begun to look reminiscent of the dominant squad that captured four consecutive Premier League titles.
The recent performance dip saw City achieve only one victory in 13 matches across competitions during November and December, leaving them at an uncharacteristic seventh place in the league on Boxing Day. Injuries, including a season-ending ACL injury to star midfielder Rodri, were significant factors in their downturn. Nonetheless, Guardiola took responsibility for the team’s struggles, stating, “One of the main reasons has been the absence of many injured players in important departments, so we were competing in the toughest period with only 12 to 13 senior players.”
Guardiola reflected on the harsh impact of injuries this season compared to previous campaigns, where despite challenges, the team consistently bounced back. “It’s difficult every three days… this season I was not able to help the team to do it. I was not able to find the right trick,” he admitted.
While Guardiola anticipated some level of decline after winning multiple titles, he did not foresee such a significant drop in performance. Heading into the last Manchester derby, he hinted that his position could have been at risk if results did not improve soon, especially following a 2-1 defeat to United where his job security was in question.
He stated, “In other clubs, without the recent success, I would have been sacked, definitely.” Guardiola emphasized that he felt deserving of the opportunity to turn things around, given the club’s history of success under his leadership.
Looking ahead, the City manager expressed optimism about returning to form next season. With eight remaining games in the current campaign, he underscored the importance of qualifying for the Champions League while acknowledging that the club’s future does not hinge solely on this year’s results. “Of course, we want to be there. But just in case it doesn’t happen, we cannot stop and complain,” he said.
Guardiola concluded with a note of confidence, “In the last two games, I saw something that I like… we have to build from there.” As the team aims to regain its competitive edge, all eyes will be on their upcoming fixtures and whether they can secure a coveted Champions League spot.
