Thierry Henry has come to the defense of his former manager, Pep Guardiola, during a recent discussion on Monday Night Football. However, he acknowledges that for the first time, Guardiola’s decisions can be questioned amid Manchester City’s alarming drop in form.
Henry expressed concern about Guardiola allowing prolific players like Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, and Cole Palmer to depart from the Etihad Stadium without adequate replacements, raising doubts about where the team’s goals will come from, especially in the absence of Erling Haaland’s usual performance.
Currently, Manchester City is experiencing a challenging period, with eight losses in their last 12 matches following a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby. This has left the team nine points adrift from the top of the Premier League, with one additional game played compared to leaders Liverpool.
Despite struggling defensively, particularly without key player Rodri, City is also seeing their lowest goals-per-game average since Guardiola took the helm. Henry pointed out, “It’s the first time we’re allowed to question his decisions” regarding player departures.
He added that although Gundogan has returned to the squad, he is not the same player who once contributed significantly to the team’s goal tally. Henry lamented, “Where are the goals from Mahrez, Alvarez, or Kevin De Bruyne?” Despite the surrounding speculation, Henry does not foresee Guardiola resigning from his position, particularly after recently signing a contract extension.
Highlighting Guardiola’s resilience, Henry stated, “This is the first time this is happening to him in his career. Let’s not dismantle the guy or the team because of it.” He praised Guardiola’s intense approach to maintaining high standards and suggested that his leadership style adapts based on the team’s performance.
Jamie Carragher echoed Henry’s sentiments, noting that the current challenges indicate a significant rebuilding phase for Manchester City. Carragher pointed out that unlike previous transitions, which appeared seamless due to the team’s success, this period genuinely feels like a rebuild. He compared it to similar challenges faced by other clubs, emphasizing that every successful team eventually goes through such phases.
