ICYMI: Guardiola warns he could resign if poor form continues at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has sent a strong message to Manchester City’s hierarchy, stating that he would consider resigning if he cannot reverse the team’s poor form. This warning comes despite Guardiola recently signing a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2026.
In a tense statement, Guardiola emphasized that he would not stay in charge if he felt he was causing harm to the club. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem. I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there,” the 53-year-old told reporters, adding that he was still committed to turning the situation around. He requested that the club’s owners give him the opportunity to address the team’s struggles, particularly when key players return from injury.
“I said to him [my chairman], ‘Give me the chance to try come back,’” Guardiola explained. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead.”
He also mentioned that he still believes in his ability to fix the current problems, despite the challenges the team is facing.
Guardiola’s comments reflect the immense pressure on him after a run of just one draw and five defeats in their last six matches, including a crushing 4-0 loss to Tottenham and a dramatic 3-3 draw with Feyenoord. With Manchester City now struggling to maintain a position at the top of the Premier League, Guardiola’s comments come ahead of a crucial match against Liverpool.
The Bigger Picture:
City, who are currently trailing Liverpool by eight points in the Premier League standings, face a must-win game this Sunday. Guardiola had earlier warned that anything less than a win could jeopardize their hopes of securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title. A loss to Liverpool would likely shift the focus from chasing the title to simply qualifying for the Champions League.
Despite these concerns, Guardiola has stressed that he will not give up without a fight, calling on his players to give their all and insisting that he remains determined to get back on track.
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Guardiola’s call for change hinges on the team’s ability to pick up form against Liverpool. If City are to overcome this crisis, they will need to show resilience and determination on the pitch. With Guardiola’s future now under intense scrutiny, this match could prove pivotal not only for the club’s ambitions this season but also for the manager’s tenure at the helm.
Cityzens will be watching closely as their manager seeks to defy the odds and return to winning ways or possibly face an uncertain future should results continue to go awry.
