Pep Guardiola on Man City’s Struggles: “I Want the Opportunity to Rebuild”
Pep Guardiola has opened up about Manchester City’s challenging run of form, acknowledging the pressure of results and his desire to lead the team through a rebuild. Despite City’s six-game winless streak and a daunting trip to Anfield this weekend to face an in-form Liverpool side already eight points clear, Guardiola remains focused on the future.
Man City’s Struggles and Injury Woes
City’s poor form includes five straight defeats and a crushing Champions League collapse against Feyenoord, where they squandered a 3-0 lead. Guardiola’s squad, missing key players like Rodri and suffering a defensive injury crisis, faces its next challenge at Anfield—a venue where they haven’t won in front of a crowd since 2003.
Reflecting on their current situation, Guardiola admitted:
“At this football club, you have to win, and if you don’t win, you will be in trouble. I know people ask, ‘Why is Pep not in trouble? Why is Pep not sacked?’ What we have done in the last eight years is why I have this margin.”
Commitment to a Rebuild
Guardiola explained that part of his decision to sign a two-year contract extension was driven by his desire to rebuild the team and restore consistency.
“I want the opportunity to try. I don’t want to run. I want to be there and rebuild the team in many aspects from now until the end of the season and next season. I know what we need to do.”
While acknowledging the current lack of consistency, Guardiola emphasized that no team remains dominant for a decade:
“Tell me one team around the world in 10 years that is consistent. It doesn’t exist—not in the NBA, not in tennis, not in golf. For a decade, we’ve been here, and now we don’t have that consistency. But I want to stay. I asked for this challenge.”
Finding Solutions Amid Adversity
Despite the absence of key players, Guardiola dismissed excuses and emphasized the need to adapt:
“It’s not an excuse that Rodri is not there. What are we going to do, cry all the time? I have to find a solution and the way to do it. I’m trying every day.”
He also acknowledged the difficulty of navigating a team no longer in its prime:
“It’s easy when everyone is fit, in their prime, and everything is going well. But now? I have to prove myself.”
Support from Club Leadership
During this challenging period, Guardiola praised the continued support from Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the club chairman, and Txiki Begiristain, the director of football:
“We talk all the time after games and sometimes before. Khaldoon knows we are not here because we’re nice. He knows we are going to find a solution. If not, the club will take the decision they have to take.”
As Guardiola leads City into a pivotal clash against Liverpool, his determination to navigate the current storm and lay the groundwork for the future remains unwavering.
