Pep Guardiola has created many impressive unbeaten streaks with Man City, but now, he and his students are receiving an equally "impressive" series of defeats. Three years ago, the defeat in the Manchester Derby at the Etihad ended The Citizens' 21-match winning streak. This defeat is not different in nature but it is lasting longer than the dark days at the Etihad.
6 consecutive Premier League titles and 3 consecutive victories in 2023 are enough to put Pep's name at the top of the world today, even on par with other Premier League legends. However, such a talented strategist is gradually running out of luck, unable to help Man City overcome the current mud.
In a moment of depression when he could not find a way to handle it, Pep also made wrong decisions like many others. Typically, using Matheus Nunes to play on the left wing. The reason for this choice is because Nathan Ake is injured and has no return date yet. If it were not for Nunes, Pep could have had to choose young talent Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and this was too risky.
However, that was Pep's only but also biggest mistake at the Manchester Derby. After a foul at the end of the match, Nunes made a foul that could not be more serious against Amad Diallo in the penalty area. From there, it opened up an opportunity for Man United to equalize on the penalty spot, followed by the goal that sealed the 2-1 score just 2 minutes later.
"Maybe I'm not a good enough coach, that's all. I have to find ways to discuss with the players, train them on new options, put more pressure on the opponent and reshape the playing style. However, I didn't do any of these things well, that's the truth" - Pep Guardiola bitterly shared after the defeat.
In the documentary shown on Amazon Prime 6 years ago, Pep Guardiola said he would never publicly criticize the players. The 53-year-old strategist will admit all his shortcomings in the face of bad results. This time, the saying "not good enough" from Pep is considered the last line for him to admit all the blame for himself, so that the students behind him are not affected.
Although Pep is currently struggling with Man City's worst run of fixtures in Premier League history. However, the team's backlog has been seen for a long time. Because The Citizens' players are so good, combined with Pep being so talented, they only need to have average performance, all shortcomings will be filled. However, when their form fluctuates, all weaknesses are exposed.
From the lack of a left-back, being vulnerable to conceding goals when the opponent counterattacks directly into the penalty area, the attack line has no one to share the burden with Erling Haaland,... everything has been seen since the beginning of the season. Combined with the increasingly dense match schedule, everything seems to have fallen out of Pep Guardiola's hands.
The upcoming break is very necessary when Man City only has to play 4 matches in 3 weeks. In the near future, they will welcome the return of John Stones, the most likely person at the moment to strengthen the defense, even temporarily replacing the vacant Rodri position.
"I'm not good enough but the team has lost 8/11 recent matches and I'm here to fix all mistakes" - Pep affirmed.
There has been much speculation about Pep's future even though his seat at the Etihad is still very secure. The simple reason is that Man City need a very good coach to help the team overcome this crisis. That very good person, besides Pep Guardiola, is probably no one else.
