It was impossible to expect that Manchester City would be 14 points behind the table leader at any stage of the season (and would have played a match more). But that something like this would happen after only nineteen rounds is a real shock. The reality is brutal. The reigning English champions have won just two of their last ten league matches. Since the beginning of November, they have found a way only against Nottingham Forrest (3-0) and in the previous round against Leicester City (2-0).
Guardiola like Klopp once upon a time? Getting back to the top is much harder than climbing for the first time
What led to this situation? Rodri's tearing of ligaments in his knee certainly had an impact, the Spaniard is the absolute foundation of the team's play. However, this translation is too simple. City was out of control on every level. From defense to offense. It is possible that they are experiencing something similar to what happened to Juergen Klopp's Liverpool in the 2022/23 season. Struck by injuries and the worn-out shape of the team, “The Reds” took only 5th place in the league.
Guardiola has no doubts. There is only one guilty
Klopp managed to rebuild the team before leaving the club, and Arne Slot's Liverpool are today the clear league leaders and the only team that has not yet lost a point in the Champions League. Will Pep Guardiola be able to do the same? According to reports in the English press, The City wants to go shopping in winter. The goal is to bring in a defender, a defensive midfielder and a winger. The Catalan coach spoke before Saturday's (January 4) league clash with West Ham United. When asked who was responsible for the crisis, he did not hesitate for a moment.
– There are many factors and I missed something. I'm not doing something right. At the end of the day, when you lose a lot of games, the coach has to take responsibility. The team needs that “something”, self-confidence, and I didn't provide it to them. It's my fault, not theirs. Of course, they have dropped a bit, but that is normal. I blame myself not to show how nice and honest I am. I'm the leader of this team and I couldn't pick them up. This is the truth – Guardiola brutally assessed himself. The Manchester City – West Ham match will start at 4:00 p.m. at the Etihad Stadium.