Manchester City are enduring a challenging period on the field, suffering four consecutive losses across all competitions.
This streak began with City’s Carabao Cup exit against Tottenham Hotspur, followed by their first Premier League loss of the season to Bournemouth. The tough run continued with City blowing a 1-0 lead to lose 4-1 against Sporting CP in the Champions League and then dropping another lead in a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
For Pep Guardiola, these four straight losses mark the first time in his career that he’s encountered such a streak. After the Brighton defeat, Guardiola acknowledged that everyone at City needed the upcoming November international break.
Adding to the on-field struggles, some experts have speculated on whether behind-the-scenes issues, particularly regarding Guardiola’s future, could be impacting City’s performance.
On a recent episode of Stick to Football, Ian Wright discussed City’s situation both on and off the pitch, raising concerns over Guardiola’s contract, which is set to expire in June. Wright suggested that uncertainty around Guardiola’s future could make some potential signings hesitate, saying, “And the thing with Pep. How long is he staying for? If you are a top player now, with everything going on, you are thinking, let me just hang on a sec and see what is going on.”
Jermaine Pennant also weighed in, suggesting that the speculation over Guardiola’s future could be affecting current players’ morale, which may have contributed to their recent form.
Despite the rumors, Guardiola himself has acknowledged that City may look to sign a midfielder in January to replace Rodri. However, he has downplayed the idea that his future should impact transfers, asserting that City should focus on players who are committed to the club rather than those drawn solely to him as manager.
