Manchester City have hit a sticky patch in their latest season.
Specifically, after making it to late October without losing a match, City have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and handed their first defeats in the Premier League and Champions League across their three previous matches.
In fact, Pep Guardiola’s side hadn’t lost three matches in a row since 2018, which highlights how unusual this recent run of form has been for them.
Now though, a pundit and former top-flight player has suggested that one particular factor concerning the City boss has had an impact on the players in his squad.
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Jermaine Pennant suggests Pep Guardiola speculation could be impacting Man City players
When asked on talkSPORT if he thinks the speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future at City beyond this season will be impacting his players, Jermaine Pennant gave this response.
He said: “It will play in the back of their minds for sure, because I’ve been at Stoke when Tony Pulis – we heard rumours that he’s probably going to get the sack.
“You’re not really bothered about what his opinion is or what he says anymore because you think, well, you’re not going to be here probably the next game or next month.
“So I need to impress the next manager, I don’t really need to worry because I’m going to be here longer than you.
“So they could be thinking about – these are top athletes so they’re probably not – but what I’m saying is it might be in the back of the mind that their performances that they’re putting in is not as important as if he had five years left on his contract being there because they could be in and out of the squad.”
What has Guardiola said about his future?
Having arrived at the Manchester club back in 2016, Guardiola has now been City’s manager longer than he was in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich combined.
As things stand, the 53-year-old’s contract is set to expire in June, meaning that unless he signs an extension, this season could be his final one at the Etihad Stadium.
| Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | |
| Pep Guardiola | 489 | 360 | 60 | 69 | 1238 | 444 |
Amid previous links with becoming the new England manager prior to Thomas Tuchel’s appointment last month, Guardiola discussed his City future, saying this during the October international break.
He said: “It’s not true [becoming the next England boss], I can promise you that had I made a decision on whether to stay or to leave [Manchester City], I would tell you. I don’t even know. But anything can happen in life.”
Whether the speculation and uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future is having an impact on the City players, only they will know if that’s the case.
However, Guardiola and the club do have the power to put this speculation to bed by coming to a decision about his future and announcing either a contract extension or that the Catalan will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Aside from that, Guardiola’s main objective now will be to see his side bring an end to their losing streak and secure a much-needed victory in their upcoming Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
