Pep Guardiola Reflects Amid Toughest Run of His Career
In a rare and introspective press conference, Pep Guardiola opened up about the struggles of managing Manchester City through what he described as the toughest period of his storied managerial career. Over 30 minutes, Guardiola addressed 30 to 40 journalists, offering a raw glimpse into his mindset during an unprecedented six-game winless streak.
A Historic Low
“This shall pass,” said Guardiola, as he reflected on the difficulties. “Nothing is eternal, not even our lives.” Despite City’s recent struggles—including five consecutive defeats and a damaging draw after a three-goal collapse against Feyenoord—Guardiola emphasized the inevitability of challenges in football. He noted that winning four Premier League titles in a row was the exception, not the norm.
“I don’t enjoy it at all. I don’t like it. I don’t sleep as good as when I won every game. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have to do it.”
Guardiola admitted that during winning streaks, he was often tougher on his players, but now, seeing their vulnerabilities, his instinct is to protect them. “Now I want to be closer to the players, my hugs and my arms are closer to them because I know they are suffering,” he said.
Reflection on Change and Legacy
At 53, Guardiola acknowledged the passage of time and the possibility of this being the end of an era for his squad. “All the players we have, 70% or 80% of the players gave us the last three or four Premier Leagues,” he said. “It’s three years later, it’s four years later, I’m three years older. People change, we get old, and the targets sometimes change—it’s normal.”
He spoke openly about his two-year contract extension, describing it as a commitment to the players and a belief in his ability to guide the team forward. Yet, he admitted that if he ever became “the problem,” he would step aside.
“If I extend, it is because I feel it. But I don’t want to stay in a place where I feel I’m a problem. My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try to come back. And if we’re not able to do it, we have to change.’”
Passion for the Challenge
Despite the strain of recent weeks, Guardiola remains as passionate as ever about the challenge ahead. “I still have passion. Still I stand up in the morning to say, ‘OK, I’m going to prepare the training, the game plan for Liverpool.’ What do we have to do? You have two days for that.”
Guardiola rejected the idea that he had fundamentally changed over his 17 years in management. “No, I don’t think so. I would say I’m the same. More, even. Because when the situation gets more comfortable, OK, you can relax a little bit. But now? No. I’m the same.”
Looking Ahead
Guardiola’s candid reflections offered insight into the mind of a manager unaccustomed to prolonged failure but determined to find solutions. As City prepare for their next test against Liverpool, a rivalry that has defined much of Guardiola’s era at the Etihad, he remains steadfast in his belief in the process and the players.
“I had the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it. I want to do it,” he declared, before leaving the room to return to the training ground. The fight to rediscover City’s form continues.
