Manchester City have been assured there is no need to panic over Pep Guardiola’s future, despite their recent poor form.
A 1-0 loss to Aston Villa marked their ninth defeat in the last 12 games, a period during which City have managed just one win. They currently sit seventh in the Premier League table this Christmas, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points and four points shy of the top four, with Liverpool also holding a game in hand.
Guardiola admitted the team “struggled” at Villa Park, conceding their pressing game was “not good enough.” As defeats mount, speculation about his future has intensified, with some suggesting the Catalan manager might resign.
However, Guardiola recently committed to the club by signing a two-year contract extension just last month. Former City defender Joleon Lescott dismissed any notion of Guardiola stepping away, despite the current challenges. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Lescott said, “I don’t think Guardiola is anywhere close to resigning. He thrives on challenges and will view this as just another one. He’s not thinking about leaving.”
Peter Crouch, another pundit, echoed Lescott’s sentiments. “I think he stays. He’ll leave on his own terms. The question is whether he can turn things around,” Crouch said, while praising Guardiola’s transformative impact on English football.
“The man’s a genius. He’s revolutionized football in this country. He’s facing a test he hasn’t encountered before, but he’s one of the greatest we’ve seen. I believe he’ll overcome it,” Crouch added.
However, Crouch has ruled out City defending their title this season, stating, “You have to write them off in the title race. They’re not showing the form needed to compete for it.”
City’s struggles have opened the door for Arsenal and Chelsea to challenge for the Premier League title, raising the possibility of one of them ending their long title drought. The race promises to be closely contested, with plenty of twists and turns expected before the season concludes.
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