The situation regarding Manchester City and Pep Guardiola remains a sticky one, no less so after the Cityzens’ 2-0 defeat against Liverpool on Monday.
For Man City, it’s been a difficult past week or so, adding to what’s been a difficult past couple of months for the reigning Premier League champions.
Earlier in the month, Man City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, inspired by a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in the second leg, then being beaten by Arne Slot’s Liverpool at the Etihad.
Man City lost 2-0 against Liverpool on Monday night in a game that really highlighted City’s decline compared to the likes of Liverpool, who are now 20 points ahead of City who sit in 4th place of the Premier League table.
Going into the game against the Premier League leaders, there were reports of uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future. It was claimed in Spain that Guardiola’s Man City position was delicate and that his position at the club is somewhat uncertain going forward.
In November, Guardiola signed a new Man City contract that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2027.
Gary Neville backs Pep Guardiola to oversee Man City rebuild after Liverpool defeat
Amidst City’s downfall of late, one thing is clear: the club needs a complete overall of the playing squad. City’s ageing squad has really been exposed in recent weeks with certain names having come under the spotlight. Perhaps no more than Kevin De Bruyne.
Man City fans were unimpressed with De Bruyne against Liverpool as the 33-year-old struggled to keep the pace, summarising the overall struggles of this current City side. But Gary Neville has backed Guardiola to stay and help rebuild the squad beyond this season.
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast after City’s defeat against Liverpool, the former Manchester United man said: “That’s the one shock. I thought that they might not win the title one or two seasons, I mean it’s incredible what they’ve done. But I didn’t think it would be as messy as this.
“It has got quite scruffy, but look, I think they like I say they’ve got enough credit in the bank as far as I’m concerned. The manager has been out of this world for not just the last five, six, seven, eight, years at City, or wherever he’s been before he’s been special, and he’s been special to this league.
“I think City have got a job to do. Pep Guardiola looks like he’s committed. He looks like he wants to reconstruct and rebuild this team.”
Who is leaving Manchester City as part of summer rebuild?
De Bruyne is out of contract in the summer and seemingly nailed on to leave following that dismal Liverpool performance. But recent reports have also stated that John Stones could leave Man City – he’s the current, longest-serving player at the club.
In fact, City are ready to move on eight of their star players who are either 30 years old or coming up to, including Jack Grealish among others, so it certainly looks like Guardiola will oversee perhaps his busiest and most drastic summer transfer window at City this summer.
Something needs to change, though. Like Neville suggests, Guardiola still has plenty to be proud of at City and sacking him doesn’t necessarily change anything. The simple fact of the matter is that City just need a new squad.
Next up is a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
