A guarantee from Jamie Carragher, who highlights the age of several regular starters for the English quadruple champions, including Portuguese international Bernardo Silva, as the main factor behind their current crisis, marked by five consecutive defeats.
Amid what many are calling the most challenging period in Pep Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career, Manchester City finds itself in an unfamiliar position.
The reigning Premier League champions have suffered five consecutive defeats across all competitions, a streak that has left fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s direction. The latest blow came on Saturday, when City endured a crushing 4-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur. This defeat, their heaviest in recent memory, allowed title rivals Liverpool to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points (31) after 12 matches.
The magnitude of City’s struggles has dominated headlines, but there is little indication that Guardiola’s position is under threat. Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender and current pundit for Sky Sports, has been vocal in his defense of the Spanish coach. Carragher argues that Guardiola, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2027, remains untouchable, even in the face of such adversity.
“Alex Ferguson was impossible to sack, and I think Jurgen Klopp is probably in the same situation at Liverpool. There’s no way Manchester City would sack Pep Guardiola, even if he went two or three years without winning anything,” Carragher said. He emphasized Guardiola’s unique position within the club, noting his unparalleled influence and the lack of viable alternatives should the club even consider a managerial change. “I’ve always felt that way about Klopp at Liverpool. And also—who would they bring in that’s better than Pep Guardiola?”
While Carragher acknowledges the severity of City’s current run of form, he hesitates to label it a full-blown crisis. “It’s a horrible run, and if it continues, we can start talking about a crisis, but I still think City can have a successful season,” he said. The pundit pointed to underlying issues in the squad, particularly in the midfield, as the root cause of City’s struggles. He singled out the aging core of the team, including players like Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ilkay Gundogan, as a significant factor in their recent decline.
According to Carragher, the midfield’s age profile presents a unique challenge for Guardiola. “The problems they have in midfield I don’t know if they can solve them with the players they currently have. I think they will need to dip into the transfer market in January, but that’s a challenge given their situation with the Premier League,” he said, alluding to the 115 financial irregularities the club has been accused of between 2009 and 2018. This ongoing investigation, Carragher suggested, could deter potential signings. “Could that deter players from wanting to join mid-season? It’s a question City might have to contend with.”
Carragher elaborated on the midfield issues, highlighting the lack of pace and declining sharpness among key players. “Rodri won the Ballon d’Or and is the best in the world in his position, but his backups... Gundogan is well into his 30s (34), and Kovacic, who just turned 30, isn’t particularly quick. The other more attacking midfielders, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, are also in their 30s (30 and 33, respectively), and no one beats time,” he said. Carragher drew parallels to Liverpool’s struggles a few years ago, noting that age and declining physicality in midfield had similarly affected their performance. “In that part of the pitch, City has a problem, and I don’t think those players can resolve it. Maybe Pep can come up with something tactically innovative, but I think he needs new players more than a new tactical approach.”
Despite the grim outlook, there remains a sense of optimism among some analysts that City can turn their season around. Guardiola’s tactical ingenuity has been a hallmark of his career, and his ability to adapt and evolve may yet provide solutions to the team’s current challenges. However, with City sitting in an uncharacteristically low 10th place in the Premier League table and struggling to find consistency, the pressure is mounting.
City’s next test comes on Tuesday night, when they host Feyenoord in the fifth round of the Champions League group stage. The match represents an opportunity for Guardiola’s side to regain some momentum, but it will not be an easy task. City currently sits 10th in the overall Champions League standings with seven points, while Feyenoord, ranked 21st, trails them by just a single point. A victory would be crucial not only for their European ambitions but also for restoring confidence within the squad.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for Manchester City as they attempt to navigate one of the most challenging periods in their recent history. While Guardiola’s job remains secure, the questions surrounding the team’s structure, recruitment strategy, and long-term prospects will only grow louder if results do not improve. For now, all eyes are on Pep Guardiola and his ability to steer the club through this storm, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest managers in football history.
