Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that his time at Manchester City could end soon if their poor form continues. Following a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, Guardiola admitted the harsh realities of football management, stating that even his past successes may not protect him from dismissal if results don’t improve.
DETAILS:
Manchester City’s crisis deepened on Sunday after their late collapse against Manchester United in the derby at the Etihad Stadium. Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header seemed enough to secure victory, but two goals in quick succession from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo turned the game on its head.
This loss marked City’s eighth in their last 11 matches, a sharp contrast to the dominance they’ve displayed under Guardiola in recent seasons. Visiting United fans seized the moment, taunting Guardiola with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
Before the derby, Guardiola had already hinted at the precariousness of his position despite signing a two-year contract extension. He acknowledged that, while he won’t resign, the club might act if results don’t turn around quickly.
QUOTES:
Before the derby:
On job security: “[The owners] know when the situation is bad, and we start to lose games, then it is not sustainable. Then I would not be here next month or in the next two months.”
“The results dictate that. We cannot eternally lose games. Maybe because of what we have done in the past, [people think I wouldn’t be sacked], but we are judged daily as managers.”
After the derby:
On taking responsibility: “I’m not good enough. I am the boss, the manager, I have to find solutions, and so far I haven’t.”
On defensive lapses: “No defence, they were incredibly persistent. We have not lost eight games in two seasons. We can’t defend that.”
On the team’s struggles: “We gave away goals, our fault. We don’t play with composure. The results are not good. The game was not exceptional.”
Guardiola emphasized his commitment to his players, adding: “I want to be close to the players. I want to be beside them. But we’ve lost a lot of games—more than we have in two seasons.”
CITATIONS:
Guardiola’s pre- and post-match comments were sourced from his interviews with Sky Sports. Match details and context were based on Sunday’s Premier League fixture and Manchester City’s recent performances.
KEEP IN MIND:
Guardiola’s remarks highlight the unforgiving nature of top-tier football, where even the most successful managers are judged on current form.
City’s alarming drop in form leaves them nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, with crucial games ahead to salvage their season.
Guardiola remains steadfast in his commitment to lead the team through this turbulent period, but results must improve to quell growing speculation about his future.
Manchester City fans now face an uneasy wait to see if Guardiola can navigate the club out of this slump or if the unthinkable—his exit—might become a reality.
