Pep Guardiola has described Manchester City’s current struggles as a sobering reality check and a reminder not to take their unprecedented success under his leadership for granted.
Since Guardiola’s arrival in 2016, Man City have amassed an incredible 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles – four of them consecutive – and the elusive Champions League.
However, the team that has dominated English football over the past decade finds itself in unfamiliar territory.
Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, Man City are 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
A dismal run of one win in their last 13 games across all competitions, including nine defeats, marks a dramatic decline for a side that began the season as favourites to claim a record fifth consecutive league title.
Now, they face an uphill battle to secure a top-four finish.
Sunday’s clash with Leicester City marks Guardiola’s 500th game in charge of the club – a milestone that would typically warrant celebration.
Instead, it comes under the shadow of City’s alarming form.
Despite the downturn, Pep Guardiola remains steadfast in his determination to restore City to their dominant best.
His commitment to the project is underscored by a new contract extension, tying him to the club until 2027.
“Of course I want it, everyone wants it,” said Guardiola. I will not give up. I want to be here, I want to do it and with the situation we have I have to do it.
“I don’t want to disappoint my people in terms of the club, the fans, the people who love this place. It’s not just now, it’s since I arrived [in football] as a player and then a manager.
“I think all of us in our job want to do it well and to please the people. That is undeniable or no question mark. It’s easy to understand.
“The biggest test now is to come back again – that has already happened – we have done that before.
“That makes you remember how good the past was, that’s the truth. This makes you realise how good it is what we have done in the past.
“Sometimes you have injuries.
“For many years we were incredibly consistent but now, yes, we are a little bit down and the main reason is having so many important players injured.
“But I saw the team spirit, how we train, how focused they are and how they try to practice.
“We saw that against Everton but unfortunately we couldn’t get a result.
“But it is what it is. I prefer it wasn’t this situation, but it is what it is.
“We have to try to be as calm as possible and see what we can do better in the next game, with players coming back. That’s what we want to try and that’s all I want to do.”
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